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Is There a Lithium Withdrawal Syndrome?

An Examination of the Evidence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Mogens Schou
Mogens Schou*
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Hospital, 2 Skovagervej, DK-8240 Risskov, Denmark
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Abstract

The evidence for abstinence phenomena after discontinuation of lithium is weak and ambiguous. Early manic and depressive recurrences after lithium discontinuation may suggest rebound, but studies carried out with appropriate methodology have failed to confirm its reality. Discontinuation of prophylactic lithium treatment of recurrent manic-depressive illness, whether abrupt or gradual, involves risk of relapse, but the existence of a special lithium withdrawal syndrome remains unproven.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 163 , Issue 4 , October 1993 , pp. 514 - 518
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1993 

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