Psychological interventions in bipolar disorder: From wishful thinking to an evidence-based approach

A randomized controlled trial of customized adherence enhancement (CAE-E): study protocol for a hybrid effectiveness-implementation project

BACKGROUND

Mood-stabilizing medications are a cornerstone of treatment for people with bipolar disorder, though approximately half of these individuals are poorly adherent with their medication, leading to negative and even severe health consequences. While a variety of approaches can lead to some improvement in medication adherence, there is no single approach that has superior adherence enhancement and limited data on how these approaches can be implemented in clinical settings. Existing data have shown an increasing need for virtual delivery of care and interactive telemedicine interventions may be effective in improving adherence to long-term medication.

METHODS

Customized adherence enhancement (CAE) is a brief, practical bipolar-specific approach that identifies and targets individual patient adherence barriers for intervention using a flexibly administered modular format that can be delivered via telehealth communications. CAE is comprised of up to four standard treatment modules including Psychoeducation, Communication with Providers, Medication Routines, and Modified Motivational Interviewing. Participants will attend assigned module sessions with an interventionist based on their reasons for non-adherence and will be assessed for adherence, functioning, bipolar symptoms, and health resource use across a 12-month period. Qualitative and quantitative data will also be collected to assess barriers and facilitators to CAE implementation and reach and adoption of CAE among clinicians in the community.

DISCUSSION

The proposed study addresses the need for practical adherence interventions that are effective, flexible, and designed to adapt to different settings and patients. By focusing on a high-risk, vulnerable group of people with bipolar disorder, and refining an evidence-based approach that will integrate into workflow of public-sector care and community mental health clinics, there is substantial potential for improving bipolar medication adherence and overall health outcomes on a broad level.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04622150 on November 9, 2020.

Social cognition in first-degree relatives of bipolar disorder: Theory of Mind and nonverbal sensitivity

Social cognition might be impaired in first degree relatives (FDR) of BD but existing research shows controversial results about social cognitive impairments in this population. The aim of this study was to assess Theory of Mind (ToM) and nonverbal sensitivity in FDR of BD and compare the results with those of two groups of persons with remitted bipolar disorder (BD), type I and II, and a control group. Social cognitive ability was examined in first degree relatives of BD, with a biological parent, offspring or sibling diagnosed with the disorder. For this study, 37 FDRs of bipolar patients, 37 BD I, 40 BD II and 40 control participants were recruited. Social cognition was explored by means of the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test and the MiniPONS. Results showed a significant impairment in FDR of BD in the ToM task, but not in nonverbal sensitivity. Performance of FDRs in social cognition is better than that of BDs (either type I or type II) but worse when compared with that of healthy individuals without a family history of psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, no differences were found between BD I and BD II groups. Males and older participants showed a worse performance in all groups. Group family therapy with FDRs of BD might include training in the recognition of nonverbal cues, which might increase the understanding of their familiars with BD, in order to modify communication abilities.

Effective maintenance treatment—breaking the cycle of bipolar disorder

Clinical guidelines for treatment and research of bipolar disorder greatly benefit from the synthesis of data from individual studies. The British Association for Psychopharmacology bases its guidelines on evidence from opinions (level D) to systematic reviews of primary trial data (level A). The report details conclusions of its 1-day consensus meeting to develop guidelines covering diagnosis, clinical management, pharmacotherapy for acute episodes, relapse prevention and treatment discontinuation. Monotherapy for long-term management is preferred, having reduced side-effects and drug interactions and improved compliance. Combination therapy is often preferred for acute episodes, using antipsychotics for mania or antidepressants for depression. Increased efficacy may be attributed to multiple mechanisms of action and potentially lower doses. In clinical practice, maintenance monotherapy has limited success for chronic episodes and polypharmacy is frequently used, though the best combination remains unclear. A new collaborative approach based on simple clinical trials is required to change current medical practice.

Study protocol of a multicenter randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and treatment as usual in bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Despite multiple pharmacological interventions, many people with bipolar disorder (BD) experience substantial residual mood symptoms, even in the absence of severe mood episodes, which have a negative impact on the course of illness and quality of life. Limited data are available on how to optimize treatment for BD, especially for those who suffer from persistent and residual depressive symptoms. Preliminary evidence suggests Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) as a psychological treatment option for BD. This study aims to investigate whether adding MBCT to treatment as usual (TAU) will result in symptomatic and functional improvements in adults with BD compared to TAU alone.

METHODS/DESIGN

This study is a prospective, evaluator blinded, multicenter, randomized controlled trial of MBCT + TAU and TAU alone in 160 adults with bipolar type I and type II. Assessments will be conducted at baseline (T0), mid-treatment (Tmid), and at 3 (T1), 6 (T2), 9 (T3), 12 (T4), and 15 (T5) months follow-up. Primary outcome is post-treatment severity of depressive symptoms (Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology- Clinician administered). Secondary outcomes are severity of (hypo) manic symptoms, anxiety, relapse rates, overall functioning, positive mental health, and cost-effectiveness. As possible mediators will be assessed rumination of negative affect, dampening and rumination of positive affect, mindfulness skills, and self-compassion.

DISCUSSION

This study will provide valuable insight into the (cost-)effectiveness of MBCT on clinician- and self-rated symptoms of BD, relapse rates, positive mental health, and overall functioning.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03507647 . Registered 25th of April 2018.

Treatment of the early stages of bipolar disorder

For many patients with bipolar disorder there is a long delay between the onset of illness and receiving a diagnosis and the initiation of treatment. This may have an adverse effect on the clinical outcome. Early intervention in bipolar disorder has received less attention than in schizophrenia, and there are relatively few specialist services in this area. This article reviews the literature on the early detection of bipolar disorder and on the effectiveness of pharmacological, psychological and psychosocial interventions in the early phase of the disorder.

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy in Patients with Bipolar Affective Disorder: A Case Series

The present investigation was undertaken to examine the effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on interepisodic symptoms, emotional regulation, and quality of life in patients with bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) in remission. The sample for the study comprised a total of five patients with the diagnosis of BPAD in partial or complete remission. Each patient was screened to fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria and later assessed on the Beck Depressive Inventory I, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, and The World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment-BREF. Following preassessments, patients underwent 8-10 weeks of MBCT. A single case design with pre- and post-intervention assessment was adopted to evaluate the changes. Improvement was observed in all five cases on the outcome variables. The details of the results are discussed in the context of the available literature. Implications, limitations, and ideas for future investigations are also discussed.

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders

OBJECTIVES

To provide guidance for the management of mood disorders, based on scientific evidence supplemented by expert clinical consensus and formulate recommendations to maximise clinical salience and utility.

METHODS

Articles and information sourced from search engines including PubMed and EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Google Scholar were supplemented by literature known to the mood disorders committee (MDC) (e.g., books, book chapters and government reports) and from published depression and bipolar disorder guidelines. Information was reviewed and discussed by members of the MDC and findings were then formulated into consensus-based recommendations and clinical guidance. The guidelines were subjected to rigorous successive consultation and external review involving: expert and clinical advisors, the public, key stakeholders, professional bodies and specialist groups with interest in mood disorders.

RESULTS

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders (Mood Disorders CPG) provide up-to-date guidance and advice regarding the management of mood disorders that is informed by evidence and clinical experience. The Mood Disorders CPG is intended for clinical use by psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians and others with an interest in mental health care.

CONCLUSIONS

The Mood Disorder CPG is the first Clinical Practice Guideline to address both depressive and bipolar disorders. It provides up-to-date recommendations and guidance within an evidence-based framework, supplemented by expert clinical consensus.

MOOD DISORDERS COMMITTEE

Professor Gin Malhi (Chair), Professor Darryl Bassett, Professor Philip Boyce, Professor Richard Bryant, Professor Paul Fitzgerald, Dr Kristina Fritz, Professor Malcolm Hopwood, Dr Bill Lyndon, Professor Roger Mulder, Professor Greg Murray, Professor Richard Porter and Associate Professor Ajeet Singh.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERT ADVISORS

Professor Carlo Altamura, Dr Francesco Colom, Professor Mark George, Professor Guy Goodwin, Professor Roger McIntyre, Dr Roger Ng, Professor John O'Brien, Professor Harold Sackeim, Professor Jan Scott, Dr Nobuhiro Sugiyama, Professor Eduard Vieta, Professor Lakshmi Yatham.

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND EXPERT ADVISORS

Professor Marie-Paule Austin, Professor Michael Berk, Dr Yulisha Byrow, Professor Helen Christensen, Dr Nick De Felice, A/Professor Seetal Dodd, A/Professor Megan Galbally, Dr Josh Geffen, Professor Philip Hazell, A/Professor David Horgan, A/Professor Felice Jacka, Professor Gordon Johnson, Professor Anthony Jorm, Dr Jon-Paul Khoo, Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, Dr Cameron Lacey, Dr Noeline Latt, Professor Florence Levy, A/Professor Andrew Lewis, Professor Colleen Loo, Dr Thomas Mayze, Dr Linton Meagher, Professor Philip Mitchell, Professor Daniel O'Connor, Dr Nick O'Connor, Dr Tim Outhred, Dr Mark Rowe, Dr Narelle Shadbolt, Dr Martien Snellen, Professor John Tiller, Dr Bill Watkins, Dr Raymond Wu.

Bipolar Disorder in the Postpartum Period: Management Strategies and Future Directions

Bipolar I and II disorder are chronic and severe psychiatric illnesses that affect many women. Furthermore, women are at increased risk for mood episodes during the postpartum period compared with non-postpartum periods. Unfortunately, identification of clinically significant depressive or (hypo)manic episodes can be challenging. Delays in detection, as well as misdiagnosis, put women at risk of many negative consequences, such as symptom exacerbation and treatment refractoriness. Early and accurate detection of bipolar I or II disorder in the postpartum period is critical to improve prognosis. At this time, limited recommendations can be made due to a paucity of research. Further research on postpartum bipolar I or II disorder focusing on its identification, consequences and treatment is urgently needed to allow for empirically informed clinical decision-making.

Treatment of bipolar depression: focus on pharmacologic therapies

Recent studies have highlighted significant limitations in our capacity to effectively treat bipolar depression. This article reviews the present status of treatments for this condition, highlighting emerging new pharmacotherapies such as lamotrigine, olanzapine and quetiapine, while also addressing modern psychologic interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy and psychoeducation. The role of older treatments such as lithium and the antidepressants is also discussed, particularly as a recent meta-analysis has thrown into question current heightened concern over antidepressant-induced mania. The advent of new pharmacologic and psychologic treatments provides optimism for improved outcomes for this highly disabling condition.

The effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in patients with bipolar disorder: a controlled functional MRI investigation

BACKGROUND

Preliminary research findings have shown that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy improves anxiety and depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder. In this study, we further investigated the effects of MBCT in bipolar disorder, in a controlled fMRI study.

METHOD

Twenty three patients with bipolar disorder underwent neuropsychological testing and functional MRI. Sixteen of these patients were tested before and after an eight-week MBCT intervention, and seven were wait listed for training and tested at the same intervals. The results were compared with 10 healthy controls.

RESULTS

Prior to MBCT, bipolar patients reported significantly higher levels of anxiety and symptoms of stress, scored significantly lower on a test of working memory, and showed significant BOLD signal decrease in the medial PFC during a mindfulness task, compared to healthy controls. Following MBCT, there were significant improvements in the bipolar treatment group, in measures of mindfulness, anxiety and emotion regulation, and in tests of working memory, spatial memory and verbal fluency compared to the bipolar wait list group. BOLD signal increases were noted in the medial PFC and posterior parietal lobe, in a repeat mindfulness task. A region of interest analysis revealed strong correlation between signal changes in medial PFC and increases in mindfulness.

LIMITATIONS

The small control group is a limitation in the study.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that MBCT improves mindfulness and emotion regulation and reduces anxiety in bipolar disorder, corresponding to increased activations in the medial PFC, a region associated with cognitive flexibility and previously proposed as a key area of pathophysiology in the disorder.

Role of childhood adversity in the development of medical co-morbidities associated with bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVE

A role for childhood adversity in the development of numerous medical conditions in adults has been described in the general population, but has not been examined in patients with bipolar disorder who have multiple medical comorbidities which contribute to their premature mortality.

METHODS

More than 900 outpatients (average age 41) with bipolar disorder completed questionnaires that included information about the occurrence of verbal, physical, or sexual abuse in childhood and whether their parents had a mood or substance abuse disorder, or a history of suicidality. These factors were combined to form a total childhood adversity score, which was then related to one or more of 30 medical conditions patients rated as present or absent.

RESULTS

The child adversity score was significantly related to the total number of medical comorbidities a patient had (p<.001), as well as to 11 specific medical conditions that could be modeled in a logistic regression (p<.03). These included: asthma, arthritis, allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic menstrual irregularities, fibromyalgia, head injury (without loss of consciousness), hypertension, hypotension, irritable bowel syndrome, and migraine headaches.

LIMITATIONS

The contribution of parental diagnosis to childhood adversity is highly inferential.

CONCLUSIONS

These data link childhood adversity to the later occurrence of multiple medical conditions in adult outpatients with bipolar disorder. Recognition of these relationships and early treatment intervention may help avert a more severe course of not only bipolar disorder but also of its prominent medical comorbidities and their combined adverse effects on patients'health, wellbeing, and longevity.

Purpose and effectiveness of psychoeducation in patients with bipolar disorder in a bipolar clinic setting

OBJECTIVE

This article reviews psychological therapies in the treatment of bipolar disorder, in particular psychoeducation, and how the inclusion of four fundamental principles - patient/therapist communication, flow of information, patient involvement and a trusting relationship - can improve patient outcomes.

METHOD

The content of this article is based on the proceedings of a 1-day standalone symposium in November 2011 exploring how to establish a bipolar clinic within the context of existing services in the UK's National Health Service.

RESULTS

Certain psychological interventions have emerged as beneficial add-on treatments to pharmacotherapy in bipolar disorder and are associated with greater stabilisation of symptoms, fewer relapses and longer time to relapse. Psychoeducation is a simple approach to support prevention of future episodes by delivering behavioural training to improve illness insight, early symptom identification and development of coping strategies. Empowering patients to actively participate in their treatment provides independence, counteracts the current disconnect of therapist and patient, and increases awareness and understanding of the challenges of living with and treating bipolar disorder.

CONCLUSION

Psychoeducation enables patients to understand bipolar disorder, get actively involved in therapy planning, and be aware of methods for episode prevention, therefore effectively contributing to improved treatment outcomes and patient quality of life.

The prognostic role of perceived criticism, medication adherence and family knowledge in bipolar disorders

BACKGROUND

In schizophrenia, high levels of critical comments by significant others are associated with early relapse, especially if medication adherence is sub-optimal. Levels of criticism may be influenced by family knowledge about both the disorder and its treatment. No study has explored whether this combination factors influence outcome in adults with bipolar disorders.

METHODS

Medication adherence was assessed in 81 individuals with bipolar disorder of whom 75 rated perceived criticism by an identified 'significant other' as well as their own perceived sensitivity. 33 (of the 75) had a close family member who agreed to completed an assessment of their knowledge and understanding of bipolar disorders. Psychiatric admissions were then recorded prospectively over 12 months.

RESULTS

Perceived criticism and medication adherence were significant predictors of admission. In the patient-family member dyads (n=33), the odds ratio (OR) for admission was 3.3 (95% confidence intervals 1.3-8.6) in individuals with low levels of medication adherence, high perceived criticism, and a family member with poor knowledge and understanding.

LIMITATIONS

The small sub-sample of patient-family member dyads means those findings require replication. Sensitivity to criticism by professional caregivers may not equate to that by relatives.

CONCLUSIONS

Perceived criticism may be a simple but robust clinical predictor of relapse in mood disorders. High levels of perceived criticism, poor understanding of bipolar disorder by a significant other, and sub-optimal treatment adherence are risk factors for hospitalization in adults with bipolar disorders that are potentially modifiable through the use of strategic psychosocial interventions.

Outcomes of an educational intervention for the family of a person with bipolar disorder: a 2-year follow-up study

This study aimed to analyse the outcomes of an educational intervention for family members living with a person with bipolar disorder. A longitudinal study was conducted comprising a 10-session educational intervention designed for families with members in outpatient mental health care. Thirty-four family members agreed to participate. Data were collected on five occasions, at baseline and during a 2-year follow-up through self-assessment instruments: the Carers of Older People in Europe Index, the Jalowiec Coping Scale-40, the Sense of Coherence questionnaire and the Social Adaptation Self-evaluation Scale. The results showed that the condition had a considerable negative impact on the family members as carers, but the educational intervention increased their understanding, which facilitated the management of their lives. A significant improvement in stress management was seen over time and social functioning was retained. The study showed that families living with one member with bipolar disorder benefited from the educational intervention in terms of increasing understanding of the condition and reducing stress. Mental health care needs to develop educational interventions further and offer the families support to strengthen their ability to manage with the situation.

REVIEW: Patient, treatment, and systems-level factors in bipolar disorder nonadherence: A summary of the literature

This is a review of adherence determinants in bipolar disorder based on published prospective studies. Patient, treatment, and systems-level adherence determinants are summarized. The review concludes with recommendations on approaches that may minimize nonadherence. MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Database were searched using key terms of adherence, compliance, or persistence, combined with terms of bipolar disorder, bipolar depression, or mania. Publications were filtered for randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Due to low yields of RCTs, we additionally included prospective nonrandomized clinical and epidemiologic studies, and prospective studies of severe mental illness that had a focus on adherence as an outcome and reported data separately for bipolar disorder. A targeted review of the broader bipolar literature provided background for concluding remarks. Twenty-two publications were identified describing RCTs with a specific population of bipolar disorder and a measure of adherence. Additional prospective nonrandomized studies were also identified. Studies identified three major categories of factors important to adherence: patient, treatment, and systems-associated factors. Patient factors include selected demographic features, symptom severity and phase of illness, presence of past suicide attempts, psychiatric comorbidity, illness and treatment duration, and relationship with providers. Treatment factors include type and intensity of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. Systems-level factors include differential levels of care access and costs. There is an overall lack of RCTs, and few prospective studies, on patient and systems-related determinants of adherence. Treatment-related determinants of adherence have the most evidence to date; however, would benefit from larger studies with diverse populations. Careful assessment of treatment adherence (including partial adherence) should be included in all prospective bipolar treatment studies, and studies should be conducted to prospectively evaluate interventions to minimize nonadherence.

The impact of staging bipolar disorder on treatment outcome of family psychoeducation

BACKGROUND

Psychological interventions on top of pharmacological treatment can improve the outcome of bipolar disorder. However, there is a paucity of data on the aspects that may influence the effectiveness of psychological approaches to bipolar disorders. The staging models suggest a progression from prodromal to more severe and treatment-resistant presentations. The aim of this study was to assess whether a staging model in bipolar disorder was related to patients' response to psychoeducation delivered to caregivers.

METHODS

Post-hoc analysis from a 15-month randomized controlled trial showing the efficacy of group psychoeducation for caregivers in the prophylaxis of recurrences. The sample was composed of 113 medicated euthymic bipolar outpatients who lived with their caregivers. For the purpose of this study the patients were subdivided into two groups according to staging. The prophylactic efficacy of caregiver psychoeducation was studied based on staging.

RESULTS

Patients on Stage I benefited from caregiver psychoeducation by having longer time to recurrence (Log-rank chi-square: 6.26; p=0.012). No significant benefits from caregiver psychoeducation were found in patients on advanced stages.

LIMITATIONS

The present post-hoc analysis was not properly powered to compare each one of the four stages with each other, instead staging was divided into Stage I and advanced stages (II, III or IV).

CONCLUSIONS

Psychoeducation for caregivers of bipolar patients on Stage I may improve long-term outcome in terms of time to recurrence. This study highlights the need to introduce psychological interventions early in the course of the illness as some treatments may be more useful in patients at earlier stages of bipolar disorder.

A critical update on psychological interventions for bipolar disorders

Although pharmacotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for bipolar disorder, the combination of evidence-based psychological interventions and drug treatment enhances overall effectiveness, mostly by further protecting patients from relapse/recurrence. In recent years, well-designed controlled studies have added weight to evidence favoring specific psychotherapy modalities for bipolar disorders. However, critical issues that may limit the benefits of psychotherapy in day-to-day clinical practice have emerged. In this article, we critically examine the effectiveness of psychosocial approaches to bipolar illness by reviewing the literature, which has been substantially enriched during the past 5 years. Recent studies further support the fact that psychoeducation and cognitive-behavioral therapy are effective in bipolar disorder, especially the early stages. Family interventions based on a psychoeducational model are also effective. Intensive psychotherapies may be more effective than short, managed care-based ones. Group psychoeducation seems to have long-lasting effects and to be cost-effective. Future studies should focus on neurobiological markers of response to psychotherapy and tailor interventions to specific subtypes.

The potential use of biomarkers as an adjunctive tool for staging bipolar disorder

Recent data show that biomarkers differ in early and late-stage bipolar disorder (BD). Here we propose a model of staging for bipolar disorder that emphasizes the potential use of biomarkers for differentiating early and late-stage BD patients in the inter-episodic period. The proposed model includes a Latent phase: patients at "ultra-high-risk" for developing BD, characterized by a family history of BD, temperament traits, mood, and anxiety symptoms as well as genetic vulnerability for developing the disorder; Stage I: patients who return to their baseline level of functioning when mood episodes resolve; Stage II: biomarkers and functioning impairment are related to comorbidities or rapid-cycling presentations; Stage III: persistent cognitive and functioning impairment in the inter-episode period as well as changes in biomarkers; and Stage IV: same findings as in Stage III associated with extreme cognitive and functioning impairment, to the point that patients are unable to live autonomously. Empirical testing will determine the ability of the present model to inform patients and clinicians about both prognosis and response to treatment.

Epidemiology and management of anxiety in patients with bipolar disorder

Epidemiological and clinical studies have reported a high prevalence of anxiety symptoms in bipolar disorder, either in manic or depressive episodes, although these symptoms do not always meet criteria for a specific anxiety disorder. In addition to anxiety symptoms, bipolar disorder frequently presents with co-morbid axis I conditions, with anxiety disorders being the most common co-morbidity. Therefore, the objective of this article is to review clinical and epidemiological studies that have investigated the association between bipolar disorder and anxiety. Available data on the efficacy of treatments for bipolar disorder and co-morbid anxiety disorders are also reviewed. Existing guidelines do recognize that co-morbid anxiety has a negative impact on the course and outcome of bipolar disorder; however, there have been very few double-blind, controlled trials examining the treatment response of patients with bipolar disorder and co-occurring anxiety disorders. There is some positive evidence for quetiapine, olanzapine in combination with fluoxetine or lithium, and lamotrigine with lithium, and negative evidence for risperidone. Other therapies used for bipolar disorder, including several mood stabilizers, antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, have been shown to reduce anxiety symptoms, but specific data for their effects in patients with anxiety symptoms co-morbid with bipolar disorder are not available. The co-occurrence of anxiety and bipolar disorder has implications for diagnosis, clinical outcome, treatment and prognosis. Careful screening for co-morbid anxiety symptoms and disorders is warranted when diagnosing and treating patients with bipolar disorder.

Development and use of a biological rhythm interview

INTRODUCTION

As several lines of evidence point to irregular biological rhythms in bipolar disorder, and its disruption may lead to new illness episodes, having an instrument that measures biological rhythms is critical. This report describes the validation of a new instrument, the Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (BRIAN), designed to assess biological rhythms in the clinical setting.

METHODS

Eighty-one outpatients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and 79 control subjects matched for type of health service used, sex, age and educational level were consecutively recruited. After a pilot study, 18 items evaluating sleep, activities, social rhythm and eating pattern were probed for discriminant, content and construct validity, concurrent validity with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), internal consistency and test-retest reliability.

RESULTS

A three-factor solution, termed sleep/social rhythm factor, activity factor and feeding factor, provided the best theoretical and most parsimonious account of the data; items essentially loaded in factors as theoretically intended, with the exception of the sleep and social scales, which formed a single factor. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were excellent. Highly significant differences between the two groups were found for the whole scale and for each BRIAN factor. Total BRIAN scores were highly correlated with the global PSQI score.

DISCUSSION

The BRIAN scale presents a consistent profile of validity and reliability. Its use may help clinicians to better assess their patients and researchers to improve the evaluation of the impact of novel therapies targeting biological rhythm pathways.

Antipsychotic agents in the treatment of bipolar mania

OBJECTIVES

Antipsychotics have been widely used in the treatment of bipolar mania. The purpose of this manuscript was to briefly review the evidence of typical and atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of bipolar mania.

METHODS

A detailed literature review was conducted on the use of typical and atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of bipolar mania using standard search engines. A summary of the published literature on each agent is described followed by a discussion on the overall comparison of the different agents.

RESULTS

For typical antipsychotics, up until recently, there was a paucity of published evidence on their strengths and limitations in the treatment of bipolar mania. Recent studies have demonstrated clear evidence on the efficacy of haloperidol on the treatment of acute mania. The literature suggests a faster onset of action of haloperidol as compared to either lithium or atypical antipsychotics. A limitation of typical antipsychotics however, is the risk of tardive dyskinesia, extrapyramidal side effects and a possible increased risk of non-adherence. Evidence on the efficacy for atypical antipsychotics has been demonstrated for aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone and ziprasidone. Limitations as regards the use of atypical antipsychotics include the risk of weight gain and dyslipidemia. Comparison among different atypical antipsychotics agents are difficult to determine as there are no conclusive head to head studies. There is also a paucity of studies comparing atypical antipsychotics with lithium.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence exists on the efficacy of both typical and atypical antipsychotics on the treatment of acute mania such that they are now clearly first-line along with lithium. An important limitation of the published literature is that most of the studies were designed to obtain regulatory approval for the different agents therefore the generalizability of the findings to clinical practice remains unclear.

Weight gain in bipolar disorder: pharmacological treatment as a contributing factor

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this paper was to review the association of most commonly used psychopharmacological drugs with weight gain in bipolar disorder.

METHOD

Information was retrieved from a PubMed/Medline literature search reviewing weight gain in pharmacological studies in bipolar disorder.

RESULTS

Obesity and overweight in bipolar disorder are partly related to prescribed drugs with a strong effect of clozapine and olanzapine. Lesser but still relevant weight gain is caused by quetiapine, risperidone, lithium, valproate, gabapentin and by some antidepressants. Ziprasidone, aripiprazole, carbamazepine and lamotrigine do not seem to cause significant overweight.

CONCLUSION

Careful monitoring of weight changes in patients before and after drug prescription should be implemented in the clinical routine and drugs which potentially cause weight gain should be avoided in overweight patients with bipolar disorder. Furthermore, eating habits and daily activities should be targeted as they may also have a significant impact on overall health and weight-related issues.

Psychosocial interventions for the prevention of relapse in bipolar disorder: systematic review of controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Pharmacological interventions alone do not provide sufficient benefit for some individuals with bipolar disorder.

AIMS

To determine the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for the prevention of relapse in bipolar disorder.

METHOD

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials were conducted.

RESULTS

Cognitive-behavioural therapy or group psychoeducation may be effective for relapse prevention in stable individuals. Family therapy was no more or less effective than individual psychosocial therapy or crisis management. There is no evidence that care management or integrated group therapy is effective in the prevention of relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive-behavioural therapy, group psychoeducation and possibly family therapy may be beneficial as adjuncts to pharmacological maintenance treatments.

Setting the stage: from prodrome to treatment resistance in bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is common, and both difficult to detect and diagnose. Treatment is contingent on clinical needs, which differ according to phase and stage of the illness. A staging model could allow examination of the longitudinal course of the illness and the temporal impact of interventions and events. It could allow for a structured examination of the illness, which could set the stage for algorithms that are tailored to the individuals needs. A staging model could further provide as structure for assessment, gauging treatment and outcomes. The model incorporates prodromal stages and emphasizes early detection and algorithm appropriate intervention where possible. At the other end of the spectrum, the model attempts to operationalize treatment resistance. The utility of the model will need to be validated by empirical research.

Sudden glory revisited: cognitive contents of hypomania

INTRODUCTION

Cognitive aspects of hypomania have been historically neglected. Although they do not have an etiological role, they may be essential to understand factors underlying the hypomanic ascent in bipolar disorders and constitute key modulators of the course of illness.

METHODS

We have performed a critical review of the existing literature on the role of cognition during hypomania, considering outputs coming from very different fields of knowledge.

RESULTS

There is a nuclear cognitive change occurring in most hypomanic phases that we have defined as 'anastrophic' thinking. This key cognitive procedure has several implications--going from social sciences and philosophy to basic sciences.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypomania has received certain attention from cognitive theorists. Unfortunately, this attention has not been translated into a cognitive model that is as robust as the one seen in depression. The inclusion of certain psychological aspects in models of hypomania should give rise, as occurred with depression, to an increased emphasis on psychoeducation and cognitive modification of behavioral patterns in the management of this disorder with combined psychological and pharmacological tools.

What is the heartland of psychiatry?

Psychiatry has long identified schizophrenia as its defining disorder, its heartland as it has been called. In the past 20 years, this has had a number of negative consequences for psychiatry as a medical specialty, which result from the uncertainty of diagnosis and an increasing emphasis on demedicalising services in an attempt to provide social care outside hospital. These changes have probably increased the stigma attached to psychiatric practice and threaten to deskill doctors. They have also meant that services for other disorders do not meet the needs of patients. To continue to allow schizophrenia to be the paradigm condition is against the interests of psychiatrists and their patients.

Social functioning in bipolar patients: the perception and perspective of patients, relatives and advocacy organizations - a review

OBJECTIVE

Recent evidence suggests that bipolar disorder (BD) may alter social functioning in stabilized bipolar patients. We reviewed the available published material on the 'perception and perspective' of bipolar patients, relatives and advocacy organizations concerning the impact of BD on their lifestyle and social functioning. This review seeks to highlight some of the key issues from the patient's perspective.

METHODS

A systematic, computer-assisted, literature search (MEDLINE, Medscape, Cochrane Library, PubMed) was performed. Seventeen relevant reports were found providing examples of how BD patients and their relatives perceive the impact of the disorder on social functioning and previous and current lifestyles. The data reported were analysed and discussed.

RESULTS

The negative impact of BD on a patient's life is high. The relationship with the family appears to be severely and adversely affected in most cases. Stigmatization and rejection within the family appear as important problems. The family's hostile attitude is often due to misinformation and a lack of understanding about the condition. Well-informed relatives, openly supportive, may play a significant role in the recovery process. The presence of stigma, delay in correct diagnosis and high levels of unemployment or frequent problems in retaining employment are reported by a large majority of respondents.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a real need for an enhanced education, information and awareness program aimed at BD patients, physicians, family members and the public. This will aid diagnosis, reduce current levels of stigmatization and prejudice surrounding the condition while assisting the reintegration of former and present patients back into the community.

Functional outcome in bipolar disorder: the role of clinical and cognitive factors

INTRODUCTION

Few studies have examined the clinical, neuropsychological and pharmacological factors involved in the functional outcome of bipolar disorder despite the gap between clinical and functional recovery.

METHODS

A sample of 77 euthymic bipolar patients were included in the study. Using an a priori definition of low versus good functional outcome, based on the psychosocial items of the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF, DSM-IV), and taking also into account their occupational adaptation, the patients were divided into two groups: good or low occupational functioning. Patients with high (n = 46) and low (n = 31) functioning were compared on several clinical, neuropsychological and pharmacological variables and the two patient groups were contrasted with healthy controls (n = 35) on cognitive performance.

RESULTS

High- and low-functioning groups did not differ with respect to clinical variables. However, bipolar patients in general showed poorer cognitive performance than healthy controls. This was most evident in low-functioning patients and in particular on verbal memory and executive function measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-functioning patients were cognitively more impaired than highly functioning patients on verbal recall and executive functions. The variable that best predicted psychosocial functioning in bipolar patients was verbal memory.

Atypical antipsychotics in bipolar depression: neurobiological basis and clinical implications

The use of atypical antipsychotics is rapidly expanding in the management of bipolar disorder. This therapeutic class appears to have benefits across the spectrum of moods found in bipolar disorder, and a re-examination of the monoamine hypothesis is required. This paper reviews the evidence for the role of monoamines, and particularly dopamine, in bipolar depression and its implications in the treatment of patients, focusing upon the response to atypical antipsychotics. Relevant papers were identified undertaking a literature search using PubMed: preclinical and clinical studies that incriminate the dopaminergic system in bipolar depression, and recent controlled trials supporting the use of atypical antipsychotics, are reviewed. There is substantial evidence indicating that not only serotonin, but also dopamine may still play an important role as a mediator of antidepressant response in bipolar depression. A regionally selective balance between the dopamine and serotonin systems may account for the mood-stabilizing properties of these drugs, and in fact, a low D(2) occupancy might be more relevant to bipolar depression than greater 5-HT(2) action. This mechanism might correlate with the ability to induce neurogenetic effects. Hence, the greater the atypical profile, the more suitable for bipolar depression. Further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Changes in the quality of care for bipolar I disorder during the 1990s

OBJECTIVE

This study estimated changes during the 1990s in the quality of usual-care treatment among persons diagnosed as having bipolar I disorder in a privately insured population.

METHODS

Retrospective private insurance administrative data were analyzed for enrollees aged 18 to 64 who were diagnosed as having bipolar I disorder during 1991 (431 person-years), 1994 (598 person-years), and 1999 (600 person-years). Medication and psychotherapy quality indicators were derived from bipolar disorder expert guidelines published in 1994, which were consistent with guidelines published until year 2002.

RESULTS

The unadjusted prevalence of receiving any lithium, valproate, or carbamazepine improved over the study period (68 percent in 1991, 64 percent in 1994, and 77 percent in 1999), whereas, compared with 1991, receiving any antidepressant in the absence of lithium, valproate, or carbamazepine increased in 1994 and then declined in 1999 (13 percent in 1991, 23 percent in 1994, and 14 percent in 1999). The unadjusted prevalence of receiving any psychotherapy declined steadily and sharply (94 percent in 1991, 89 percent in 1994, and 69 percent in 1999). The unadjusted prevalence of receiving any lithium, valproate, or carbamazepine and therapy together declined over time (65 percent in 1991, 58 percent in 1994, and 54 percent in 1999). After the analyses adjusted for patient characteristics, these changes were significant from p<.01 to p<.001.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of receiving the pharmacotherapy recommended in the guidelines improved after guideline publication in 1994, whereas other quality measures that included receiving psychotherapy declined throughout the study period. These results suggest different psychotherapeutic modalities are under differing constraints under managed care, constraints that overpower consensus in the literature of quality practice. Policy makers should measure a variety of key therapeutic modalities when measuring quality in order to capture these differences.

Prevention of Pediatric Bipolar Disorder: Integration of Neurobiological and Psychosocial Processes

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a prevalent condition in the United States that typically begins before the age of 18 years and is being increasingly recognized in children and adolescents. Despite great efforts in discovering more effective treatments for BD, it remains a difficult-to-treat condition with high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it appears prudent to focus energies into developing interventions designed to prevent individuals from ever fully developing BD. Such interventions early in the development of the illness might prevent inappropriate interventions that may worsen or hasten development of BD, delay the onset of first manic episode, and/or prevent development of full BD. Studies of populations at high-risk for BD development have indicated that children with strong family histories of BD, who are themselves experiencing symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and/or depression or have early mood dysregulation, may be experiencing prodromal states of BD. Understanding the neurobiological and genetic underpinnings that create risk for BD development would help with more accurate identification of this prodromal population, which could then lead to suitable preventative interventions. Such interventions could be pharmacologic or psychosocial in nature. Reductions in stress and increases in coping abilities through psychosocial interventions could decrease the chance of a future manic episode. Similarly, psychotropic medications may decrease negative sequelae of stress and have potential for neuroprotective and neurogenic effects that may contribute to prevention of fully expressed BD. Further research into the biologic and environmental mechanisms of BD development as well as controlled early intervention studies are needed to ameliorate this significant public health problem.

The role of psychosocial stress in the onset and progression of bipolar disorder and its comorbidities: The need for earlier and alternative modes of therapeutic intervention

Psychosocial stress plays an important role at multiple junctures in the onset and course of bipolar disorder. Childhood adversity may be a risk factor for vulnerability to early onset illness, and an array of stressors may be relevant not only to the onset, recurrence, and progression of affective episodes, but the highly prevalent substance abuse comorbidities as well. A substantial group of controlled studies indicate that various cognitive behavioral psychotherapies and psychoeducational approaches may yield better outcomes in bipolar disorder than treatment as usual. Yet these approaches do not appear to be frequently or systematically employed in clinical practice, and this may contribute to the considerable residual morbidity and mortality associated with conventional treatment. Possible practical approaches to reducing this deficit (in an illness that is already underdiagnosed and undertreated even with routine medications) are offered. Without the mobilization of new clinical and public health approaches to earlier and more effective treatment and supportive interventions, bipolar illness will continue to have grave implications for many patients' long-term well being.

The management of bipolar disorder in general practice

General practitioners have a key role in managing patients with bipolar disorder, a condition which affects at least one in 200 Australians each year and is the sixth leading cause of disability in the population. Although diagnosis and treatment of the illness is complex, effective treatment can lead to good outcomes for many patients. GPs can contribute significantly to early recognition of bipolar disorder, avoiding the long delays in accurate diagnosis that have been reported. As in other complex recurrent or persistent illnesses, GPs are well placed to coordinate multidisciplinary "shared care" with specialists and other health care professionals. GPs also provide continuing general medical care for patients with bipolar disorder, and are in a unique position to understand patients' life circumstances and to monitor their progress over time. The last decade has seen many advances in medication for bipolar disorder, including the introduction of new therapies and the refinement of treatment protocols using older medications. There has also been increasing recognition of the contribution of psychological therapies to symptom relief, relapse prevention, optimal function, and quality of life.

Bipolar mixed states and their treatment

Bipolar mixed states remain a nosologic dilemma, diagnostic challenge and neglected area of therapeutic research. While the outcome of mixed states is generally poorer than that of pure manic and depressive episodes, little is known about how to treat such a condition. The aim of this report is to investigate the results of clinical trials, including mixed bipolar patients, in order to provide some hints on the efficacy of the different compounds on this specific subpopulation. As a result of this research, it becomes clear that only dysphoric mania has been reasonably addressed in clinical trials, and unfortunately very little is known about the treatment of other mixed states. There is some indirect evidence that mixed mania may be more responsive to anticonvulsants than to lithium. Divalproate, and to a lesser extent carbamazepine, may be used either in monotherapy or as adjuncts to lithium. Use of other anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, tiagabine, topiramate or zonisamide is not yet supported by controlled data. The use of antidepressants is largely discouraged, as they may worsen this condition. On the other hand, atypical antipsychotics may be effective and safe either in monotherapy or in combination with lithium or valproate. Further research is urgently needed in this neglected area of psychiatry.

Evolution of cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder: a systematic review of cross-sectional evidence

OBJECTIVES

The notion that sufferers of bipolar disorder achieve complete syndromal and functional recovery between illness episodes has been brought into question by evidence that a large proportion of patients fail to regain premorbid levels of functioning after the resolution of major affective symptoms. A growing body of evidence suggests that bipolar patients exhibit neuropsychological impairment that persists even during the euthymic state, which may be a contributory factor to poor psychosocial outcome. However, the aetiology of such impairment and its relation to progression of illness are not well understood. This review aims to consider evidence from studies investigating both the relationship between cognitive impairment and clinical outcome and studies of neurocognitive function in unaffected first-degree relatives (FDRs) of bipolar sufferers to address issues of the temporal evolution of cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder.

METHODS

Systematic literature review.

RESULTS

The weight of evidence suggests that greater neuropsychological dysfunction in bipolar disorder is associated with a worse prior course of illness, particularly the number of manic episodes, hospitalizations and length of illness. The most consistent finding was a negative relationship between the number of manic episodes and verbal declarative memory performance. Impairment in unaffected FDRs was reported in verbal declarative memory and some facets of executive function.

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive impairment may be a trait vulnerability factor for bipolar disorder that is present before illness onset and worsens as the illness progresses. Further investigation into the causal relationship between cognitive impairment and illness course is essential.

Stabilizing the stabilizer: group psychoeducation enhances the stability of serum lithium levels

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect on the serum lithium levels of a psychoeducational program in patients with bipolar disorder.

METHOD

This is a subanalysis of data obtained from a larger study on the efficacy of group psychoeducation in the prophylaxis of recurrences in bipolar disorders. Data on plasma lithium levels were obtained at five time points: baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Serum lithium levels of patients who had received psychoeduction (psychoeducated) (N = 49) and non-psychoeducated patients (N = 44) were compared.

RESULTS

Mean serum lithium levels were significantly higher and more stable for the psychoeducation group.

CONCLUSIONS

As changes in serum lithium level may be a powerful predictor of recurrence for bipolar patients, the addition of group psychoeducation to standard pharmacological treatment may be beneficial to optimize serum lithium levels and, thereby improve outcome.

Impact of cognitive-psychoeducational interventions in bipolar patients and their relatives

BACKGROUND

In recent years, several controlled studies could show that psychoeducational interventions have been effective for relapse prevention in bipolar disorders. We therefore established a cognitive-psychoeducational group intervention with 14 sessions providing information about the illness, early warning signs, cognitive and behavioural strategies for stress management and social rhythm. Additionally we offered a group intervention for the patients' relatives. The objective of this study was to describe the outcome associated with our psychoeducational intervention in bipolar patients and their relatives.

METHODS

Sixty-two bipolar patients attended 14 sessions (à 90 min) of cognitive-psychoeducational group therapy. Patients' knowledge of bipolar disorder and their satisfaction with the treatment were assessed using self-developed questionnaires before and after the group intervention. Additionally, 49 relatives of bipolar patients received two psychoeducational workshops of 4 hours each. We assessed demographic variables, burden, high expressed emotion and depressive symptoms of the relatives before and after the two workshops and at 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

Patients significantly improved their knowledge of bipolar disorder. They also have benefited from the discussions and the exchange of useful coping strategies. Burden and high expressed emotions showed no significant reductions at post-assessment, however they were significantly reduced at 1-year follow-up. Relatives also felt significantly better informed about the illness.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings show that psychoeducational interventions in bipolar patients and their relatives improve patients' and their relatives' knowledge of the illness and the burden of the disorder as well as high expressed emotions are reduced in relatives at 1-year follow-up.

Bipolar II and the bipolar spectrum

In studies made in the last decade, patients consulting doctors because of depression and anxiety have very often turned out to suffer from bipolar type II and similar conditions with alternating depression and hypomania/mania (the bipolar spectrum disorders - BP). Specifically, about every second patient seeking consultation because of depression has been shown to suffer from BP, mainly bipolar type II. BP is often concealed by other psychiatric conditions, e.g. recurrent depression, psychosis, anxiety, addiction, personality disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and eating disorder. BP shows strong heredity. Relatives of patients with BP also have a high frequency of the psychiatric conditions just mentioned. Conversion ("switching") from recurrent unipolar depressions (recurrent UP) to BP is common in very long longitudinal studies (over decades). Mood-stabilizing medicines are recommended to a great extent in the treatment of BP, since anti-depressive medicines are often not effective and involve a substantial risk of inducing mood swings. Particularly in the long-term pharmacological treatment of depression in BP anti-depressive medicines may worsen the condition, e.g. inducing a symptom triad of dysphoria, irritability and insomnia: ACID (antidepressant-associated chronic irritable dysphoria).

Atypical antipsychotics: newer options for mania and maintenance therapy

Vieta E, Goikolea JM. Atypical antipsychotics: newer options for mania and maintenance therapy. Bipolar Disord 2005: 7 (Suppl. 4): 21-33. (c) Blackwell Munksgaard, 2005Atypical antipsychotics have been used to treat patients with schizophrenia for many years, but now there is increasing evidence of their utility in the treatment of bipolar disorder. In the past few years several atypical agents have received regulatory approval for use in bipolar mania. Through a review of randomized controlled trials for five commonly used atypical drugs, olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, ziprasidone and aripiprazole, this article evaluates their efficacy in the acute and maintenance phases of bipolar disorder. The evidence shows that atypical antipsychotics are effective in the treatment of manic symptoms, either alone or in combination with traditional mood stabilizers such as lithium and divalproex. Although emerging data indicate that atypical antipsychotics will be a promising addition to those therapies that are currently available for managing patients during the maintenance phase of bipolar illness, their potential in the long-term management of bipolar disorder remains to be fully explored. Atypical antipsychotics appear to have broadly similar efficacy against manic symptoms of bipolar disorder, but there are important differences in their tolerability profiles, which are likely to be of particular relevance during long-term treatment. A brief assessment of tolerability issues surrounding the use of atypical agents in bipolar disorder and other aspects of treatment that have impact on the clinical effectiveness of the therapy are considered.

The treatment of mixed states and the risk of switching to depression

There are few controlled studies evaluating the treatment of bipolar mixed states. Evidence suggests that mixed states may be more responsive to some anticonvulsants than to lithium. Olanzapine alone or in combination with divalproate or lithium has been adequately evaluated in randomized clinical trials involving mixed-state patients, whereas risperidone and quetiapine have not. There is also some evidence demonstrating the efficacy of ziprasidone and aripiprazole. The risk of switching to depression is high in mixed states. Conventional antipsychotics, such as haloperidol, may be less efficacious at protecting against a switch to depression than atypical antipsychotics, divalproate or lithium. When choosing drugs for the treatment of mania, and especially for the treatment of mixed states, their efficacy against manic and depressive symptoms, and their safety in terms of the risk of switching to depression should be taken into account.

Mood stabilization in the treatment of bipolar disorder: focus on quetiapine

The use of at least one mood-stabilizing agent is common clinical practice in the treatment of bipolar disorder, regardless of the treatment setting or disease phase. However, a consensus definition of 'mood stabilizer' remains to be established. A mood stabilizer has been operationally described as an agent that is useful in at least one phase of bipolar disorder while not worsening any other phase of the illness. More stringent definitions have been proposed, and it can be argued that a clinically effective mood stabilizer would have efficacy in a broad range of affective, psychotic, behavioral and cognitive domains in all phases of bipolar disorder and would be well tolerated across a range of doses for sustained periods. Clinically effective mood stabilizers should treat mania and depression, while preventing recurrence and improving quality of life. Effective treatment should not precipitate mania, depression, or rapid cycling, and should minimize the burden of treatment-emergent side effects. Data from clinical studies of quetiapine are reviewed in context with the literature discussing traditional and emerging mood stabilizers. Using a liberal definition, the evidence for quetiapine qualifies it as a bimodal mood stabilizer based on its demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of bipolar mania and depression. Further data suggest that quetiapine has promise across all phases of bipolar disorder with the potential to meet even the most stringent definitions of a mood stabilizer.

A typical mood stabilizers: a "typical role for atypical antipsychotics

OBJECTIVE

To assess the potential role of atypical antipsychotics as mood stabilizers.

METHOD

A MedLine, PsychLIT, PubMed, and EMBASE literature search of papers published up to December 2004 was conducted using the names of atypical antipsychotics and a number of key terms relevant to bipolar disorder. Additional articles were retrieved by scrutinizing the bibliographies of review papers and literature known to the authors. Data pertinent to the objective was reviewed according to the various phases of bipolar disorder.

RESULTS

The data is most substantive for the use of atypical antipsychotics in mania, to the extent that an argument for a class effect of significant efficacy can be made. This does not extend to bipolar depression, however, good data is now emerging for some agents and will need to be considered for each individual agent as it accumulates. As regards mixed states and rapid cycling the evidence is thus far sparse and too few maintenance studies have been conducted to make any firm assertions. However, with respect to long-term therapy the atypical antipsychotics do have clinically significant side-effects of which clinicians need to be aware.

CONCLUSION

Based on the evidence thus far it is perhaps premature to describe the atypical antipsychotics as mood stabilizers. Individual agents may eventually be able to claim this label, however, much further research is needed especially with respect to maintenance and relapse prevention.

Adjunctive strategies in the treatment of refractory bipolar depression: clinician options in the absence of a systematic database

Multiple approaches to enhancing antidepressant treatment response in bipolar depression are available and should, in many instances, be explored despite a lack of definitive controlled trial literature supporting their efficacy. Given that the morbidity of depression is three times greater than mania in bipolar illness, a range of treatment approaches to this phase of illness should be pursued. This paper highlights the preliminary evidence of efficacy versus side effects, tolerability, and safety in order to suggest an overall provisional utility grade for each well-studied to highly-experimental option. Given the general paucity of evidence to support efficacy or to sequence different approaches for augmenting treatment of bipolar depression, it is critical that patient and physician adopt a systematic and, preferably, daily rating approach to the assessment of benefit for a given patient of each strategy contemplated. The goal is to achieve and maintain remission of depressive symptoms and associated comorbidities, which is often not accomplished using primary mood stabilizer treatments alone, or in combination; thus, an active clinical approach to augmentation strategies is indicated even when the literature provides only highly preliminary guidance.