Medicating Bipolar Disorder

This manual attempts to provide simple, adequate and evidence-based information to health care professionals in primary health care especially in low- and middle-income countries to be able to provide pharmacological treatment to persons with mental disorders. The manual contains basic principles of prescribing followed by chapters on medicines used in psychotic disorders; depressive disorders; bipolar disorders; generalized anxiety and sleep disorders; obsessive compulsive disorders and panic attacks; and alcohol and opioid dependence. The annexes provide information on evidence retrieval, assessment and synthesis and the peer view process.

This innovative manual presents a powerful approach for helping people manage bipolar illness and protect against the recurrence of manic or depressive episodes. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy focuses on stabilizing moods by improving medication adherence, building coping skills and relationship satisfaction, and shoring up the regularity of daily rhythms or routines. Each phase of this flexible, evidence-based treatment is vividly detailed, from screening, assessment, and case conceptualization through acute therapy, maintenance treatment, and periodic booster sessions. Among the special features are reproducible assessment tools and a chapter on how to overcome specific treatment challenges.

The book provides treatment recommendations for bipolar patients, a review of evidence about bipolar disorder, and states research needs

Bipolar Disorder affects many more people than just the 2.5 million Americans who suffer from the disease. Like depression and other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder also affects spouses, partners, family members, friends and coworkers. And, according to the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, 15% of children diagnosed with ADHD may actually be suffering from early-onset of Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar Disorder For Dummies reveals some of the causes and consequences of bipolar disorder, let you in on some crisis survival strategies, and describe ways that friends and family members can support loved ones who have the disease. The book includes an overview of the causes and symptoms of bipolar disorder, explains step-by-step how to obtain an accurate diagnosis, discusses the medications available, and tells what you can and can't do to help someone with the disease. You'll learn: The different categories and potential causes of bipolar disorder How to select the right mental health specialist Managing employment-related issues brought on because of the disorder How bipolar disorder affects children Advocating for yourself or a loved one Planning ahead for manic and depressive episodes Selecting the best medications for you—including alternative "natural" treatments How to survive an immediate crisis situation Identifying triggers and mapping your moods Complete with fill-in-the-blanks forms and charts, key web site and email addresses, and first-hand accounts from real people, Bipolar Disorder For Dummies gives you the latest information and self-help strategies you and your loved ones need to help everyone affected feel a whole lot better.

Advances in Treatment of Bipolar Disorders provides clinicians with a well-written and timely guide to the most recent advances in the treatment of patients with this complex disorder. Staying abreast of new research developments and treatment options presents a daunting challenge, but the editor and coauthors have compiled the most important evidence-based findings from controlled studies and U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved indications, facilitating integration of these findings into clinical practice. This volume strives to provide clinicians with the necessary information to enable them to balance the likelihood of benefit (using “number needed to treat” analyses) versus harm (using “number needed to harm” analyses) in order to provide individualized, state-of-the-art, evidence-based care. The most current research findings are complemented by the authors’ extensive personal clinical experiences, resulting in a volume that reflects the most up-to-date thinking about the diagnosis and management of bipolar disorder. Advances in Treatment of Bipolar Disorders belongs in every mental health clinician’s library.

From leading scientist-practitioners, this volume presents a range of effective psychosocial approaches for enhancing medication adherence and improving long-term outcomes in adults and children with bipolar illness. Authors review the conceptual and empirical bases of their respective modalities--including cognitive, family-focused, group, and interpersonal and social rhythm therapies--and provide clear descriptions of therapeutic procedures. Separate chapters address assessment and diagnosis, analyze available outcome data, and provide guidance on managing suicidality. Offering a framework for clinical understanding, and yet packed with readily applicable insights and tools, this is a state-of-the-science resource for students and practitioners.

When Gracelyn Guyol was diagnosed in 1993 with a mild form of bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, she was prescribed a commonly used antidepressant. Soon she developed breast cysts and benign tumors, a possible side effect of the antidepressant. She went off the drug and within two months, her tumors disappeared. Under the care of a naturopath, Guyol embarked on a quest to educate herself about the underlying genetic, hormonal, and other causes of depression and bipolar disorder. She investigated many natural therapies-including diet, vitamins, herbal treatments, and energy healing-before finding the solutions that have kept her free of depression and bipolar symptoms since 2002. Healing Depression & Bipolar Disorder Without Drugs features Gracelyn Guyol's own story and those of thirteen other people around the country who have cured their depression and bipolar disorder using only natural therapies. In-depth research and the expertise of alternative health-care professionals are included in this landmark guide for patients and caregivers seeking responsible, safe alternatives to psychiatric drugs.

Presents a novel, evidence-based psychological intervention to help therapists manage cognitive and functional deficits in bipolar disorder patients.