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The psychiatric prescribing clinician may be called upon to treat pain comorbid with bipolar disorder.

Addressing Pain in Patients With Bipolar Disorder

Although clinicians and patients may wish otherwise, the comorbidity of ADHD and bipolar disorder needs to be considered.  

ADHD in Bipolar Patients: Genetics, Diagnosis, and Treatment

David Osser, MD, comments on the low priority of valproate for treating patients with bipolar disorder. 

Reappraising a Preference for Valproate

Is valproic acid dismissed out of hand? Three doctors discuss its potential as a treatment. 

Giving Valproic Acid a Higher Priority in Bipolar Patients 

Oxcarbazepine might be considered for patients who you want to treat with carbamazepine for mania (as monotherapy or adjunct) but for whom it would be unsafe or who have been unable to tolerate it. 

Oxcarbazepine: Does It Have a Role in Bipolar Disorder?

Dr Pies is Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Lecturer on Bioethics and Humanities, SUNY Upstate Medical University; Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine; and Editor in Chief Emeritus of 

 (2007-2010). Dr Pies is the author of several books. A collection of his works can be found on

The risk of “false positive” screening in primary care settings is reduced by a thorough clinical evaluation.

Screening Instruments Do Work for Bipolar Disorder, But Not by Themselves

Bipolar disorder screening scales have modest sensitivity; thus, a negative result does not preclude a clinical evaluation.

Faith Is Not Enough: Self-Administered Questionnaire Screening for Bipolar Disorder

Alkermes plc’s new drug, ALKS 3831, pending FDA approval, could be helpful in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder.

FDA Advisory Committee Votes in Favor of ALKS 3831

Podcasts

There are many reasons symptoms worsen in younger patients who are prescribed antidepressants. Five possible scenarios are discussed in this podcast.

When Children Get Worse on Antidepressants: Activation or Bipolar?

Chris Aiken, MD, and Kellie Newsome, PMH-NP, discuss best practices for dosing quetiapine for the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Disorder