Antidepressant-Associated Mania and PsychosisResulting in Psychiatric Admissions

Adrian Preda, M.D.; Rebecca W. MacLean, M.D.;Carolyn M. Mazure, Ph.D.; and
Malcolm B. Bowers, Jr., M.D.

Background: The safety and tolerability of theselective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors and the newer atypical agents have led to a significant increase
in antidepressant use. These changes raise concern as to the likelihood of a
corresponding increase in adverse behavioral reactions attributable to these
drugs.

Method: All admissions to a university-based general hospital psychiatric
unit during a 14-month period were reviewed.

Results: Forty-three (8.1%) of 533 patients were found to have been admitted
owing to antidepressant-associatedmania or psychosis.

Conclusion: Despite the positive changes in theside effect profile of
antidepressant drugs, the rate of admissions due to antidepressant
-associated adverse behavioral effects remains significant. (J Clin
Psychiatry 2001;62:30-33)

Received Dec. 27, 1999; accepted May 17, 2000. From the Department of
Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, Conn.

Reprint requests to: Malcolm B. Bowers, Jr., M.D., Department of Psychiatry,
Yale University, 25 Park St., GB 624, New Haven, CT 06519.