The American Journal of Psychiatry

An epidemiological study of British general practice patients who received oral glucocorticoids showed that patients who received these drugs were seven times as likely to attempt suicide as were patients with the same illness who did not receive steroids. The increase was most prominent in younger people. Mania and delirium were also significantly more common, particularly in older men. Neuropsychiatric effects were more common in patients receiving higher doses and those with previous mental disorders.

A placebo-controlled study of 100 outpatients with mixed heroin-amphetamine addiction showed that implanted naltrexone, designed to block opiate effects for 8–10 weeks, led to 52% of patients remaining in treatment and 38% having urine samples free of both drugs at 10 weeks, compared to 28% remaining and 16% drug free for the placebo implant. Use of other substances, such as alcohol, did not increase.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder affects 2%–5% of premenopausal women. Criteria proposed for DSM-5 include the occurrence of at least five symptoms in most menstrual cycles during the past year, such as affective lability, irritability, depressed mood, anxiety, loss of interest, lethargy, changes in appetite or sleep, loss of control, or bloating. These symptoms need to begin the week before and improve a few days after menses onset. Response to serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as to oral contraceptives containing the progestin drospirenone is noted.