Phencyclidine abuse and symptomatic mania

Phencyclidine (Sernylan, PCP, 'angel dust') is abused for its mood altering properties. Originally introduced as an anesthetic agent, early studies of the compound reported transient euphoric states both with and without delirium (Greifenstein et al., 1958; Johnstone et al., 1959). We have been unable to find descriptions of a phencyclidine induced syndrome in which typical manic psychopathology occurred in clear consciousness and took the sustained course of naturally arising affective disorder. For this reason, and because manic states apparently symptomatic of other conditions are infrequently described, we present two cases.