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LSD treatment in a severe case of compulsive neurosis

E. Brandrup, T Vanggaard

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica February 1, 1977 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1977.tb00149.x (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case study Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 1
Population 30-year-old male with incapacitating compulsive-neurotic condition
Intervention LSD
Duration 1.5 years from autumn 1962
Topics LSD
Keywords Neurosis Psychotherapist
Citations 47
Key findings LSD treatment led to complete symptomatic cure and positive personality change in a patient with a compulsive-neurotic condition.

Abstract

A detailed account is given of the course and outcome of the treatment with LSD of an incapacitating compulsive‐neurotic condition in a 30‐year‐old male. The treatment took place over 1 1/2 years from the autumn of 1962, and the patient, who has been followed since then, is completely cured symptomatically. In addition, a fortunate change in his general personality has taken place. The events during the LSD sessions revealed the basic elements of a development of his personality since early childhood, particularly the toilet‐training period, which resulted in a typical compulsive character neurosis. In turn, this character neurosis became the matrix for the outbreak of his manifest neurotic compulsions which began 4 years before the onset of treatment. The material which emerged was in complete accordance with Freudian theory. No interpretations were given. While under the action of the drug the patient was left alone except for brief visits by the doctor or the nurse. He was free to call them if his anxiety became too strong for him to cope with alone. Besides, he had the support of reporting his experiences to the doctor after the LSD‐effect had worn off and discussing them during interviews between the LSD days, still without interpretations being given to him. Practical details of procedure are reported. The necessary caution in employing LSD for treatment purposes, especially the selection of patients, is emphasized: theoretical implications of the psychological material and the course of the curative process are discussed.

Comparable studies

Other case reports and case series on LSD, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Lasting Neuropsychiatric Sequelae of (??)Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (???Ecstasy???) in Recreational Users Persons who ingested large doses of MDMA 1991 Case study n = 2
Further Studies in the Therapeutic Value of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Mental Illness Patients with mental illness 1957 Case series
Coma, Hyperthermia, and Bleeding Associated with Massive LSD Overdose a Report of Eight Cases People who self-administered large amounts of pure LSD powder intranasally 1975 Case series n = 8
Using a MDMA- and LSD-Group Therapy Model in Clinical Practice in Switzerland and Highlighting the Treatment of Trauma-Related Disorders Patients with chronic complex post-traumatic stress disorder (c-PTSD), dissociative,... 2022 Case series
Persistent Palinopsia Following Ingestion of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) Patients who developed persistent palinopsia after LSD ingestion 1996 Case series n = 3

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