[A clinical and follow-up study in 33 cases of rapid cyclic affective psychosis]

Three hundred and fifty one cases of manic-depressive psychosis in our hospital were reviewed. Of these, 33 cases were rapid cyclothymic type (9.4%). Their clinical features, including sex, age, personality characteristics, phenomena and clinical types were analysed. The results suggested that: the major precipitating factors are psychosocial factors and antidepressants; the better therapy is the administration of the lithium combined with carbamazepine or neuroleptics; and more ideal prognosis occurs in any patient persisting in receiving the therapy.