Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-m6dg7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-16T18:07:32.867Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Neuroleptic Medication for Dystonia

Reciprocal Relationship Between Effects on Motor Function and Mood

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

C. S. Young
Affiliation:
Royal Dundee Liff Hospital, Dundee
J. B. Stewart*
Affiliation:
Royal Dundee Liff Hospital, Dundee
G. W. Fenton
Affiliation:
Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee
*
Dr Stewart, Department of Psychiatry, Royal Dundee Liff Hospital, Dundee DD2 5NF

Abstract

Background

The presence of dysphoric symptoms associated with neuroleptic medication is commonly reported.

Method

Neuroleptic treatment of a segmental dystonia resulted in a disabling depressive illness, which when treated with antidepressants led to the return of the involuntary movements.

Results

The use of several different antidepressants and neuroleptics confirmed the association between drugs and symptoms. Genetic studies excluded “poor metaboliser status” as a reason for the patient's sensitivity to these drugs.

Conclusions

The case illustrates a delicate imbalance between dose of neuroleptic medication and depressive symptoms. We should be aware of the possibility of mood changes in patients treated with neuroleptics for a variety of conditions.

Type
Short Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1994 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

American Psychiatric Association (1987) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd edn, revised) (DSM–III–R). Washington, DC: APA.Google Scholar
Belmaker, R. H. & Wald, D. (1977) Haloperidol in normals. British Journal of Psychiatry, 131, 222223.Google Scholar
Blackie, J. D. & Lees, A. J. (1990) Botulinum toxin treatment in spasmodic torticollis. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 53, 640643.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bruun, R. H. (1988) Subtle and under-recognised side effects of neuroleptic treatment in children with Tourette's disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 145, 621624.Google Scholar
Caine, E. D. & Polinsky, R. J. (1989) Haloperidol induced dysphoria in patients with Tourette syndrome. American Journal of Psychiatry, 136, 12161217.Google Scholar
Cholerton, S., Daly, A. K. & Idle, J. R. (1992) The role of individual human cytochromes P450 in drug metabolism and clinical response. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 13, 434439.Google Scholar
Gilman, A. G., Goodman, L. S., Rall, T. W., et al (1985) Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. New York: Macmillan.Google Scholar
Jankovic, J. & Schwartz, K. (1990) Botulinum toxin injections for cervical dystonia. Neurology, 277280.Google Scholar
Jankovic, J. & Brin, M. F. (1991) Therapeutic uses of botulinum toxin. New England Journal of Medicine, 11861194.Google Scholar
Roy, A. (1984) Do neuroleptics cause depression? Biological Psychiatry, 19, 777781.Google Scholar
Sandberg, P. R. & Norman, A. B. (1989) Under-recognised and under-researched side effects of neuroleptics. American Journal of Psychiatry, 146, 411412.Google Scholar
Stip, E., Faughnan, M., Desjardin, I., et al (1992) Botulinum toxin in a case of severe tardive dyskinesia mixed with dystonia. British Journal of Psychiatry, 161, 867868.Google Scholar
Van Putten, T. V., Marder, S. R., Wittman, L. A., et al (1981) Subjective responses to antipsychotic drugs. Archives of General Psychiatry, 38, 187190.Google Scholar
Weiden, J., Mann, J., Dixon, L., et al (1989) Is neuroleptic dysphoria a healthy response? Comprehensive Psychiatry, 30, 546557.Google Scholar
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.