Plasma cortisol levels in mania: associated clinical ratings and changes during treatment with haloperidol.

Plasma cortisol levels were elevated in a large proportion of samples from manic patients. Although a correlation was found between clinical ratings of the severity of mania and the degree of elevation of daytime cortisol levels, some patients with low clinical ratings had elevated cortisol levels. During treatment with haloperidol, cortisol levels returned to normal earlier that the clinical state. The underlying mechanisms are discussed.