Paramenstrual aggression in mentally retarded adult ameliorated by buspirone.

OBJECTIVE

This case examined the efficacy of buspirone therapy as a reductive technique for severe treatment resistant paramenstrual aggression.

METHOD

Aggressive outbursts of an institutionalized mentally retarded adult were analyzed and correlated with menstrual cycling. Behavior was closely monitored, and after ineffective trials of antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and beta blockers, a trial of buspirone was initiated.

RESULTS

Buspirone therapy resulted in a marked decrease in aggressive incidences, and substantial increases in desirable behaviors. As a result of the subjects improvement, doses of concurrent psychotropic medications were reduced or discontinued altogether.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors conclude that buspirone is an effective pharmacotherapy for paramenstrual aggression in the developmentally disabled, and encourage similar experimentation when behavior seems to be otherwise untreatable.