Abstract
David Copolov [1] writes about ‘that is funny’ experiences.
Last year a 62-year-old male patient with a long history of social phobia and recurrent resistive depression was commenced on Epilim while an inpatient. At 1000 mg/day he developed mild memory problems and disorganisation. The medication was reduced and ceased. Four days later he was well and euthymic (though still socially phobic).
This year a 38-year-old female with recurring depression was commenced on Epilim. She had a similar experience and cessation of medication to that described above (but also had headaches and stomach pains at 1000 mg/day). She recovered. Last month she relapsed and asked to be hospitalised with Epilim as described above rather than have a prolonged hospitalisation. After she experienced several days of side-effects, the Epilim was withdrawn. She was euthymic, pleased and discharged. She did not require a long hospitalisation or electroconvulsive therapy.
This could be an all or nothing situation, that is, by taking increased dosage of Epilim and experiencing side effects for several days it is then possible to reduce and cease medication.