title: [Bipolar disorders: the disease of extreme emotions].
abstract: Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating phases of manic and depressive states that are separated by variably long and sometimes symptom-free intervals. Rapid changes in symptoms and mixed states during acute episodes can make diagnosis difficult. The risk of suicide is high. For diagnostic confirmation, the patient should be referred to a specialist as early as possible. The therapy should also be carried out in close collaboration with a neurologist or psychiatrist. The role of the family physician is to monitor the pharmaceutical phase prophylaxis and to attend to the patient's comorbidities.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Charité Berlin. Stephanie.Krueger@charite.de
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krüger
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prager
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010819:Physician's Role; D010821:Physicians, Family; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012008:Recurrence; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018020:Lithium Compounds; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid