title: Early intervention for bipolar disorder: current imperatives, future directions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this article is to discuss the rationale/background for early intervention in bipolar disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Narrative review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are often significant delays before the diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made and effective management initiated. Growing evidence from both preclinical and clinical literature points to a clear need for improved early identification and early intervention in bipolar disorder. Increasing efforts are being applied to the identification of those at high risk of onset of bipolar disorder. It is hoped that identification of an early prodrome of illness will allow preventative measures to be taken.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a clear rationale for improved early identification and early intervention in bipolar disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, UK. matthew.j.taylor@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Rodrigo Affonseca
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bressan
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pan Neto
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brietzke
mesh_terms: D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D061345:Early Medical Intervention / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D012306:Risk; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data