In a message of <08 Nov 89 01:04:09>, Gary Katz (1:129/53) writes:
GK>In view of the long term studies, recent research seems to indicate
GK>that it may not be the "wonder drug" of the manic-depressives. Long
GK>term, BP clients DO remit, even on maintenance doses of LiCO3. In
GK>light of this fact, as well as the relative toxicity of Lithium,
GK>wouldn't the treatment choice for cyclothymia -- a more chronic, yet
GK>less unwieldy form of BP illness -- tend toward the psychotherapeutic
GK>end of the spectrum?
Thank you for your remarks. As a laboratory doctor, I usually monitor and
consult on Lithium therapies, but don't establish them - I just trim doses and
have a good observatory over medium-term toxic reactions (not that much,
luckily). I am not faced with therapeutical decision-making ({*filter*} vs.
psycotherapy) and am not familiar with psicotherapy merits. So my arguments
might be biased ("one who has but a hammer tends to see the problems in form
of nails"), although I'd guess LiCO3 would be far less expensive.
Ciao
Bianki
/501
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