Bipolar Disorder

New Drug Developments for Bipolar Mania

While challenges in treating bipolar disorder persist, the future discovery of novel therapeutic agents will likely expand our understanding of this devastating illness and provide key insights into future drug development.

Bipolar Disorder

The Role of Biological Tests in Psychiatric Diagnosis

Blog | May 23, 2013 | Alcohol Abuse, Bipolar Disorder, Mania, Schizophrenia, On DSM-5

By Allen Frances, MD and Allen Frances, MD

"Psychiatric diagnosis is certainly imperfect -- but so is much of diagnosis throughout medicine. And whatever the current limitations, psychiatric diagnosis is useful and essential. There are no 'paradigm shifts possible til we learn a lot more. To imply otherwise is misleading and confusing to patients."

DSM-5 Won’t Solve the Overdiagnosis Problem—But Clinicians Can

May 09, 2013 | Bipolar Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, DSM-5, Mania, Mood Disorders

By James Phelps, MD

Exploring treatment options such as N-acetylcysteine and bipolar-specific psychotherapies is on the horizon for this bipolar series. But with DSM-5 about to arrive, one more examination of bipolar diagnosis is warranted.

The Electroencephalogram in the Management of Psychiatric Conditions

CME | May 07, 2013 | CME, Addiction, Bipolar Disorder, Electroconvulsive Therapy, Neuropsychiatry, Panic Attacks

By Nash N. Boutros, MD

The electroencephalogram (EEG) has a limited but definitive role in understanding and managing psychiatric conditions. When the presentation is unusual, a neurological workup that includes an EEG is essential.

Refinements in ECT Techniques

April 19, 2013 | Electroconvulsive Therapy, Bipolar Disorder, Depression

By Karon Dawkins, MD

With ECT‚ the response rate for treatment-refractory patients is sobering‚ and the treatment is not without risks and adverse effects.

Treating Comorbid Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders

April 12, 2013 | CME, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Comorbidity In Psychiatry, Major Depressive Disorder, Substance Use Disorder, Addiction, Alcohol Abuse

By Kenneth Minkoff, MD

All types of antidepressants have been found to be effective for major depression with comorbid substance dependence.

Lamotrigine for Major Depressive Disorder Is Inappropriate

April 11, 2013 | Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Mania

By Rajnish Mago, MD

Lamotrigine is an important option in bipolar disorders. However, many clinicians also use it in patients with a (unipolar) depressive disorder who have not responded adequately to conventional antidepressants. That several retrospective chart reviews of such use have been published indirectly indicates that such “off-label” use is not infrequent. Is such use justified?

God’s Psychiatrist: An April Fool’s Tale in 3 Chapters

April 01, 2013 | Bipolar Disorder, Cultural Psychiatry, Major Depressive Disorder

By H. Steven Moffic, MD and H. Steven Moffic, MD

In our time, it seems that the number of psychiatrists who believe in a God are increasing, parallel with the decreasing influence of Freud’s ideas.

Pages

Videos
Podcasts

The Relevance of Neuroscience for Psychiatrists
October 23, 2012 | Bipolar Disorder
By Mayada Akil, MD
Many psychiatrists are not familiar with the latest developments in neuroscience and many clinicians are a bit skeptical about the relevance of neuroscience in their practice.

Update on the Treatment of Bipolar Depression
November 05, 2012 | Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Mania
By Michael E. Thase, MD
There are many rapidly effective treatments for mania in bipolar disorder. However, there are relatively few options for bipolar depression, and none that are rapidly effective—even though bipolar depression constitutes between 20% to 50% of all depressive disorders.
Podcast: Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Severe Mental Illness
May 02, 2012 | APA2012, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Addiction
By Michael E. Thase, MD
Dr Michael Thase touches on an APA presentation about newer applications of cognitive therapy for disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Podcast: Current Trends in Patient Education
January 20, 2012 | Bipolar Disorder, Addiction
By Cps, MSW and Lisa Dixon, MD
Special Report chairs discuss patient education and provide a brief overview of materials that provide an opportunity for patients to help themselves.
Top Paper: Antidepressants for Acute Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
November 23, 2010 | Bipolar Disorder
By Ronald W. Pies, MD
A meta-analysis recently published in the Journal of Psychiatry sheds new light on the safety and efficacy of antidepressants in the acute treatment of bipolar disorder.