Citation

Pinkerton S. Drugs Context 2007; 3(1).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Bioexcel Publishing)

DOI

10.7573/dic.212208

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Bipolar disorder is a highly distressing psychiatric disorder that affects the lives of both the patient and their family, and is associated with a particularly high lifetime risk of suicide. Although estimates of the prevalence of bipolar disorder vary, the fact that up to 3.5% of the population is affected means that the majority of GPs in the UK will have to manage several cases as part of their routine workload. However, the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of bipolar disorder are very complex and can be very challenging even for the most experienced clinician. In particular, it is apparent that the rate of misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder is very high, particularly when attempting to differentiate the depressive phase of the condition from unipolar major depression. Failure to do so may mean that inappropriate treatment with antidepressants is initiated, which has the potential to trigger an acute manic episode. As such, treatment initiation and confirmation of a diagnosis is usually made in secondary care after referral from the GP. A variety of treatment options are available to manage the condition, whilst the use of psychological support, behavioural therapy and counselling may also prove useful in certain patients. Guidelines on the management of bipolar disorder have been published, which, it is hoped, will help to simplify the management of this complex condition.

Language: en