title: An overview of primary care assessment and management of bipolar disorder.
abstract: Because patients with major psychiatric illnesses increasingly are treated first--and sometimes exclusively--by primary care physicians, improved diagnostic skills and knowledge of treatment options are essential to improved patient outcomes and quality of life. This article reviews the incidence of bipolar disorder and burdens associated with misdiagnosis of the illness. It also emphasizes the evaluation and recognition of bipolar disorders to assist physicians in making accurate diagnoses, as well as reviewing the pharmacologic options used in treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, USA. flewisdo@bellsouth.net
authors.forename: Frederick T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Ethan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kass
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077152:Olanzapine; D011320:Primary Health Care; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D014227:Triazines; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D014635:Valproic Acid; D008094:Lithium; D000077152:Olanzapine; D000077213:Lamotrigine