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.