Severe Disturbance Occurring During Treatment for Depression of a Bulimic Patient With Fluoxetine

This article reports on a woman with bulmia nervosa treated with fluoxetine for depression who became severely disturbed with tension, irritability, self-damage by cutting, & violent, intense, suicidal & paranoid ideation qualitatively different to previous symptoms. Clinical impression was of a striking association between fluoxetine & these symptoms. Caution is suggested when using fluoxetine in bulimic patients with depression who have additional impulsive behaviors. (12 Refs.)