Long-term therapy with XXXX in a private practice clinic: a naturalistic study.

@entity1 @entity162 @entity308 @entity3486 @entity1091
OBJECTIVE: To document the effectiveness and vicissitudes of treating 14 @entity162 @entity1 with @entity3486 over a combined 300 years, and an average of 21 years/ @entity1 . METHODS: Chart review of the narrative and laboratory studies of these 14 @entity1 ranging in duration from 12 to 29 years. RESULTS: @entity1091 stabilized these @entity162 @entity1 over these periods. Only three @entity1 required hospitalization, one because @entity1091 was slowly tapered at her request after 6 years of mood stability, another because of non-compliance, and a third because of co-morbid alcohol abuse. One @entity1 attempted suicide after @entity1091 was tapered off. However, in some @entity1 , there were serious side-effects necessitating @entity1091 discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: Controlled studies in psychopharmacology are obviously preferred to open-label or naturalistic case studies. However, controlled studies are rarely conducted over long periods, and practice-related naturalistic research can be of value, albeit anecdotal and without the use of structured rating scales. In this paper, we are reporting on 14 @entity1 seen consistently by one psychiatrist. These @entity1 were functional and productive at work and in family life. The @entity1 suffered brief hypomanic or @entity308 episodes. Although several @entity1 experienced serious side-effects, @entity1091 was continued with stable mood, while the side-effects were managed in collaboration with other specialists.
