Citation

Grunze H, Dargel S. Nervenarzt, Der 2010; 81(5): 539-548.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00115-009-2851-9

PMID

20386876

Abstract

Bipolar depression is linked with substantial burden and a high suicide risk, making a rapid and highly efficacious treatment mandatory. However, similar to mania, aspects of long-term treatment should already be considered at treatment initiation. With comparable efficacy, drugs with a beneficial safety and tolerability profile should be preferred. Additional psychotherapy can also noticeably improve both short- and long-term outcome of bipolar depression. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) still has its place in severe, treatment-resistant bipolar depression. Whereas ECT is a domain of specialised centres, correct diagnosis and both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment initiation are essential tasks of primary care practitioners and secondary care psychiatrists.

Language: de

Keywords

Humans; Antidepressive Agents; Psychotherapy; Chronic Disease; Acute Disease; Electroconvulsive Therapy; Bipolar Disorder