Citation

John H, Sharma V. World J. Biol. Psychiatry 2009; 10(4 Pt 2): 612-615.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, World Federation of the Societies of Biological Psychiatry, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15622970701816522

PMID

19224409

Abstract

We report the case of a 26-year-old patient with bipolar spectrum disorder who was misdiagnosed with borderline personality disorder. In spite of trials of various psychotropic drugs and frequent, prolonged hospitalizations, the patient had remained chronically symptomatic. Following a detailed examination of the longitudinal illness course and confirmation of the diagnosis of bipolar spectrum disorder, antidepressants were discontinued and the patient was treated with lamotrigine and quetiapine. This treatment resulted in sustained euthymia and cessation of deliberate self-harm in addition to a significant reduction in utilization of health resources.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Bipolar Disorder; Borderline Personality Disorder; Costs and Cost Analysis; Diagnostic Errors; Drug Costs; Emergency Service, Hospital; Female; Health Care Costs; Humans; Patient Admission; Psychotropic Drugs; Treatment Failure