Efficacy of lithium carbonate on public and compulsive masturbation: a female case with mild mental disability

The efficacy of lithium carbonate in the first reported case of a female with mild mental disability who engaged in public and compulsive masturbation is described. The patient was born in 1975, and was 19 years old at first admission. A diagnosis of schizophrenia was initially suspected, therefore the patient was given medication including pimozide, haloperidol, carbamazepine, diazepam and levomepromazine. These medications, however, did not control the symptoms, and the patient showed several side effects, such as incontinence. Only lithium carbonate was efficacious among the medications administered; the patient's abnormal sexual behavior was significantly reduced and no conspicuous side effects were recognized. The mechanisms of lithium carbonate in controlling abnormal sexual behavior are discussed.