The foundations of effective management of bipolar disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the epidemiology and course of bipolar disorder; to outline the importance of accurate and reliable diagnosis of bipolar disorder both on a cross-sectional and longitudinal basis; and to emphasize the value of a collaborative therapeutic relationship, psychoeducation, and psychotherapy.


METHODS
A brief review of relevant literature to deal with the issues of diagnosis and laying the foundations for effective treatment.


RESULTS
Bipolar disorder may well be a heterogeneous group of conditions with varying forms of biphasic mood dysregulation and a changing course across a lifetime. A collaborative therapeutic relationship, psychoeducation, and psychotherapy can be the basis for effective management.


CONCLUSIONS
As the concept of bipolar disorder has broadened, the condition is being identified with increasing frequency in many clinical settings. It is a relapsing and recurring condition. It is now recognized that in addition to rational pharmacotherapy, there is a need to encourage a high level of treatment adherence while providing a holistic package of interventions.
Kusumakar
V
V
Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. vkusumakar@usa.net
Yatham
L N
LN
Haslam
D R
DR
Parikh
S V
SV
Matte
R
R
Sharma
V
V
Silverstone
P H
PH
Kutcher
S P
SP
Kennedy
S
S
D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011613:Psychotherapy