We review the English-language literature on Asperger's syndrome (AS), with particular reference to diagnostic criteria and differentiation from infantile autism and personality disorders, and describe six cases seen in practice; all met DSM-III criteria for ‘atypical pervasive developmental disorder’. Three also developed Tourette syndrome: the co-occurrence of the two disorders, and methods of intervention, are discussed.

Five patients suffering with delusional depression, and who were resistant to tricyclic antidepressants, were successfully treated with lithium carbonate. Delusional depression does not usually respond to tricyclic antidepressants, and ECT has been considered the treatment of choice. Such patients often refuse to acknowledge that they are ill. They, therefore, understandably often refuse to accept ECT. In order to treat, the Mental Health Act 1983 must be invoked. Treatment with lithium carbonate is more acceptable to most patients, and in the cases described, patients agreed to take this drug whereas they had refused to accept ECT.

Behavioural scientists are currently attempting to correlate individuals' usual duration of sleep with personality traits as well as with personality profiles. Studies using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and Cornell Medical Index have suggested that differences between “short sleepers” and “long sleepers” show up in such traits as self-control, anxiety, extroversion, aggression and ambition (Hartmann et al, 1972; Spinweber & Hartmann, 1976), although Webb & Friel (1970, 1971) found no such differences. Glaubmann & Orbach (1977) observed short sleepers to be efficient, energetic, ambitious, self-content and socially well adjusted.