Citation

Dealberto MJ, Marino J, Bourgon L. Bipolar Disord. 2008; 10(1): 111-113.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Ottawa Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. dealbert@uottawa.ca

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1399-5618.2008.00523.x

PMID

18199249

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mood disorders are more frequent after brain injury and both depressive and manic episodes are associated in these patients with an increased risk of aggression. Antidepressant medications are associated with a risk of manic induction. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of homicidal ideation with intent during the onset of a manic episode in a patient with prior brain injury on antidepressant medication at low dosage. The manic episode could have been secondary to brain injury and/or triggered by antidepressant medications. This case raises the possibility of the sensitizing role of brain injury for antidepressant-induced mania. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are needed to assess the role of brain injury as a risk factor for antidepressant-induced mania. Physicians should be cautious when prescribing antidepressants to patients with prior brain injury and inform them and their relatives of the possibility of a switch into mania.

Language: en