title: Drug treatments for bipolar disorder: 1--Acute manic or depressive episodes.
abstract: Bipolar disorder is a severe, chronic mental illness characterised by repeated episodes of mania or hypomania, depression or mixed affective states. Depending on the clinical context, treatment may involve drugs, psychological therapies, social interventions and/or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Here we concentrate on the role of drug treatments for acute manic or depressive episodes in adults with bipolar disorder. A second article will consider their role as maintenance and preventive therapy, and in special situations such as pregnancy.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid; D008094:Lithium