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A controlled study of the effects of diphenylhydantoin on anxiety, irritability, and anger in neurotic outpatients

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Summary

In a six-week double-blind cross-over study, DPH, 100 mg, t.i.d., was found to be markedly more effective than DPH, 5 mg, t.i.d., used as a placebo, in reducing symptoms relating to anger, irritability, impatience, and anxiety. The psychoactive properties of DPH were demonstrated by both self-ratings and physician ratings of change. Improvement when changing from 5 mg to 100 mg was matched by worsening when changing from 100 mg to 5 mg. Patients in the controlled study were selected on the basis of the presence of symptoms of anger, irritability, and anxiety, a social class more typical of private patients than clinic patients, and a Barron Ego Strength score of 40 or above. No undesirable side effects were encountered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 21205, Baltimore, Maryland

    Joseph H. Stephens & John W. Shaffer

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  1. Joseph H. Stephens
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  2. John W. Shaffer
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The authors are grateful to the Dreyfus Medical Foundation for generously providing funds for this study and to Parke, Davis and Company for furnishing the DPH.

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Stephens, J.H., Shaffer, J.W. A controlled study of the effects of diphenylhydantoin on anxiety, irritability, and anger in neurotic outpatients. Psychopharmacologia 17, 169–181 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402707

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402707

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