Calming the bipolar storm: treating acute mania and mixed episodes in patients with bipolar disorder.

Abstract

Bipolar disorder is a seriously debilitating psychiatric disorder that greatly affects patients and their loved ones. Although bipolar disorder is one of the most frequently occurring mental disorders worldwide, many patients, particularly those with mixed mania, remain misdiagnosed. Compared to pure mania, mixed episodes of bipolar disorder present with symptoms that can be more challenging to treat. However, proper diagnosis and early treatment can usually alter the course of the illness, and remission is certainly possible. This expert roundtable supplement reviews the differences between acute manic and mixed episodes in patients with bipolar disorder, explains proper dosing and the advantages of different dosage formulations, and identifies the rationale for monotherapy and combination therapy in these patient populations. The aim is to educate clinicians about ways to diagnose and treat the mood state aggressively and safely, especially in light of the many new treatment options available.

• Authors: John M Zajecka
• Journal: CNS spectrums (CNS Spectr) Vol. 11 Issue 11 Suppl 13 Pg. 1-11; discussion 12-3; quiz 14-6 (Nov 2006) ISSN: 1092-8529 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17075560 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antimanic Agents

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Antimanic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Bipolar Disorder (diagnosis, psychology, therapy)
• Electroconvulsive Therapy (methods)
• Humans
• Severity of Illness Index