What psychotherapists should know about pharmacotherapies for bipolar disorder.
This article provides a practice-friendly overview of current psychotropic agents used for the treatment of bipolar disorder. The author reviews definitions and concepts about mood stabilization according to the evidence base, in turn profiling a "clinical niche" for lithium, anticonvulsant drugs, atypical antipsychotics, and antidepressants. Results from randomized clinical trials are summarized to help clinicians individualize treatment decisions and tailor them to real-world patients. Recognition and management of common adverse effects are discussed alongside risk-benefit strategies to guide optimal treatment that balances clinical efficacy with drug safety and tolerability.
Goldberg
Joseph F
JF
Affective Disorders Program, Silver Hill Hospital, New Canaan, CT 06840, USA. jfgoldberg@yahoo.com
D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004358:Drug Therapy; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States