Intoxication in Manic Patients Following Chaotic Self-Administration of Lithium

Suicide attempts attributed to acute overdoses by depressive patients are a typical cause of intoxication during lithium therapy & have previously been reported. However, lithium intoxication may also appear following chaotic self-administration & excessive intake by patients with manic disorders. The authors present 4 such cases, including that of a 28-year-old male who had expressed suicidal thoughts to his friends. (19 refs.)