Posted by Ritch on February 2, 2002, at 15:32:35
In reply to Lithium for anxiety?, posted by bob on February 2, 2002, at 13:58:32
> Does Lithium in monotherapy have any anxiolytic properties at all? Not that it would be indicated as a first line treatment for GAD, but still, does it help at all?
Hi Bob,
Over nearly 15+ years experience with it I could say that it does have anxiolytic properties. I was on it as monotherapyp for probably a third of the time I have taken it. What it probably does is primarily settle agitation/restlessness related to hypomania and depression. It does have serotonergic effects. If the anxiety is associated with unipolar depression-it possibly could be helpful. It would be interesting to see a double-blind placebo controlled trial for GAD using it.
Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:92622
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020131/msgs/92633.html