Author Archives: JmaC

1. Q. What was the goal of the STEP-BD depression psychosocial treatment trial and how did it fit into STEP-BD? A. The study reported in the April 2007 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry describes the results of a … Continue reading →

This article exemplifies the AAFP 2000 Annual Clinical Focus on mental health. Bipolar disorder most commonly is diagnosed in persons between 18 and 24 years of age. The clinical presentations of this disorder are broad and include mania, hypomania and … Continue reading →

Antipsychotic medicines are sometimes used together with mood stabilisers to help treat an episode of high mood (mania). They are used as an initial treatment to help control the symptoms while the mood stabiliser begins to work. Antipsychotic medicines can … Continue reading →

Antidepressants in Bipolar Disorder: The Controversies Updated 11/2014 1. Do antidepressants even work in bipolar depression? 2. Can antidepressants trigger manic symptoms? 3. Are antidepressants “mood de-stabilizers” ?      (3b: Kindling and Long-term Worsening) 4. If you’re on an … Continue reading →

It’s one of the most missed diagnoses in psychiatry. Bipolar disorder, involving moods that swing between the highs of mania and the lows of depression, is typically confused with everything from unipolar depression to schizophrenia to substance abuse, to borderline … Continue reading →

Mood Stabilizers (Updated 11/2014) Table of the main options How might you choose? Where to start? Which one is the best? FDA approved or not Specifics: lamotrigine Specifics: lithium Specifics: valproate/divalproex Below you will find a list of the medications currently … Continue reading →

If you have bipolar disorder, medication will most likely be a part of your treatment plan. Medication can help bring mania and depression under control and prevent relapse once your mood has stabilized. But taking medication is just one aspect … Continue reading →

When you have both a substance abuse problem and a mental health issue such as depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety, it is called a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis. Dealing with substance abuse, alcoholism, or drug addiction is never easy, … Continue reading →

If someone close to you has bipolar disorder, your love and support can make a difference in treatment and recovery. You can help by learning about the illness, offering hope and encouragement, keeping track of symptoms, and being a partner … Continue reading →

Does your child go through intense mood changes? Does your child have extreme behavior changes? Does your child get much more excited and active than other kids his or her age? Do other people say your child is too excited … Continue reading →