David N. Osser, MD

New evidence shows lithium adds minimal weight in bipolar disorder and explains why some gain occurs—plus practical tips to prevent it.

New evidence suggests age-adjusted eGFR cutoffs refine CKD risk, guiding safer lithium use and avoiding unnecessary kidney alarms.

Poster discusses evidence-based strategies for managing adult ADHD, including medication guidelines and considerations for comorbid conditions.

Valproate's role in treating bipolar disorder is questioned as evidence suggests better alternatives exist for managing acute mania and maintenance.

Explore the evolving role of lamotrigine in treating bipolar depression, highlighting its benefits, risks, and recent clinical guidelines.

Explore the complexities of aripiprazole in bipolar disorder treatment, including its efficacy and proper prescribing practices.

In clinical practice, there are individuals who have chronic low-grade hypomanic symptoms: high energy, need for less sleep than others, chronic optimism, and chronic risk-taking.

New research reveals the complex relationship between ADHD and bipolar disorder, highlighting genetic overlaps and treatment considerations for effective management.

Effective diagnosis and treatment of comorbid disorders in patients with bipolar enhance care and lead to more optimal mental health outcomes.

Although diagnostic criteria for a depressive episode are the same for unipolar major depression and bipolar depression, these episodes differ in their natural history.

Bipolar disorder is both underdiagnosed and overdiagnosed—though missing the diagnosis is more common. Check out this update from David N. Osser, MD.

Although the Model Curriculum for Teachers of Psychopharmacology has evolved over 2 decades, it continues to provide practical and easy to use resources for psychiatric educators from leading experts.

Some clinicians are skeptical about the potential of MDMA-assisted therapy...

What is the current role of lithium?

What is the best evidence-based medication treatment for acute bipolar II depression?

"This study served as a sobering reminder of the significant frequency of this disfiguring and sometimes disabling adverse effect, which can be irreversible."

When should you monitor electrocardiograms in patients taking lithium?

"Despite this new study and the need for further research, the best recommendation at this time regarding lithium in patients with bipolar disorder who are suicidal would be to consider it a worthwhile option."

Up to 20% of patients with bipolar disorder have 4 or more medications, so it is important to be aware of these common drug-drug interactions.

Here are a few reminders to help avoid both toxicity and loss of effectiveness.

Because patients with bipolar disorder often have underlying comorbidities, a thorough diagnosis is imperative.

Have you had difficulty with differential diagnosis when patients have manic symptoms and psychosis? One doctor discusses the related DSM-5 criteria changes and some of their implications for psychopharmacology.

This infrequent, but important, toxic effect of lithium deserves increased awareness.

Major depressive episode and bipolar disorders: same DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, but very different disorders.

Bipolar disorder and pregnancy: what considerations need to be kept in mind?

A rare robust finding from a study on bipolar depression.

Higher lithium levels are associated with a greater risk of long-term kidney harm and more frequent depressive episodes. This bipolar update reviews ways to minimize renal side effects.

Why does prazosin appear to be the safest and most effective medication for select patients with comorbid PTSD?