The use of lithium in the treatment of aggressive behaviours with two brain-injured individuals in a state psychiatric hospital

Abstract

Brain-injured individuals often experience problems with aggression which can prevent full community reintegration. Two cases involving individuals (one 4 years, one 17 years post-injury) who had been placed in a state psychiatric hospital due to aggressive and/or self-injurious behaviours are discussed. Utilizing medication dosages and behavioural acuity indicators over a 2 year period, the authors demonstrate the efficacy of lithium carbonate in treating aggressive behaviours. Lithium, in concert with other medications, not only led to a decrease in the frequency of aggressive outbursts and in the need for restrictive and costly behaviour control techniques, but also allowed for a significant reduction in the use of neuroleptic medication in one case. The authors conclude that the use of lithium, within the context of an intensive, behavioural rehabilitation programme, may yield positive effects in the control of aggressive behaviour even in long-term post-injury cases.