title: An Individualized Approach to Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Disorder: A Case Series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment-resistant bipolar disorder (TRBD) is an increasingly prevalent, debilitating condition with substandard treatment outcomes. Polypharmacy has become the mainstay among practitioners though long-term efficacy of this method has not been adequately tested.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Determine retrospectively if individualized, integrative treatment strategies applied while withdrawing pharmaceuticals were beneficial and safe among a TRBD clinic population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A chart review was performed for six adult patients, treated in a private psychiatric practice. Data were collected regarding psychiatric diagnosis, hospitalizations, medications, side effects, substance abuse, and applied treatments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using individualized, integrative psychiatric treatment methods, the majority of medications were eliminated. Long-term remission was attained in all cases, defined as clinical stability with no discernable symptoms of bipolar disorder for at least one year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Applying an integrative treatment approach, and eliminating most medications, provided lasting resolution of symptoms and side effects in a selected sample of TRBD outpatients. These data may provide the basis for future randomized, controlled trials.
authors.affiliation: 997 Glen Cove Avenue, Glen Head, NY 11545. Electronic address: MIGurevich@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Michael I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Gurevich
authors.affiliation: Helfgott Research Institute, National College of Natural Medicine, 2220 SW 1st Avenue, Portland, OR 97201.
authors.forename: Cassandra L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D005260:Female; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D055048:Integrative Medicine; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: bipolar disorder; holistic medicine; integrative medicine