Despite works published as recently as 2002, the continuing rapid evolution of new medications and adjunctive psychosocial interventions for bipolar disorder has made the concise Advances in Treatment of Bipolar Disorder essential for today's clinicians who want to stay abreast of the latest developments in treating this complex and challenging mental illness.
Meticulously referenced with numerous tables and illustrations, Advances in Treatment of Bipolar Disorder offers a very timely and exciting perspective on new ways to treat bipolar disorder. After an overview, six succinct chapters written by experts review recent developments-emphasizing interventions supported by controlled studies--in the following areas:
- Advances in treatment of patients with acute mania: discussing newer antipsychotics, which as a class are effective as primary treatments for acute mania, and have emerging potential roles in maintenance treatment, and acute bipolar depression; and anticonvulsants, some of which are effective for as primary treatments for acute mania or maintenance, and others of which although not primary treatments for bipolar disorders may provide benefits as adjuncts for comorbid conditions.
- New developments in the treatment of acute bipolar depression: describing therapeutic options beyond mood stabilizers and highlighting that adjunctive use of antidepressants requires additional adequately powered controlled studies to support this common approach.
- Techniques in the maintenance treatment of patients with bipolar disorder: including both medications and adjunctive psychosocial therapies, which together can help clinicians manage medication adverse effects and maintain the therapeutic alliance, treatment adherence, and involvement of significant others to enhance outcomes.
- Innovations in the treatment of rapid-cycling bipolar disorder: although no treatment has received FDA approval for the management of this challenging presentation, results of controlled trials are beginning to provide clinically relevant insights in to the treatment of patients with rapid cycling, offering hope for more effective future therapies.
- The treatment of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder: no treatment has FDA approval for the treatment of pediatric patients with bipolar disorder and controlled data are limited, yet recent research is beginning to yield important new information about the diagnosis and management of children and adolescents with this illness or its putative prodromes.
- Phenomenology and management of bipolar disorder in women: introducing important new information to enhance clinicians' understanding of the importance of accounting for gender differences and reproductive health in the treatment of women with bipolar disorder.
Advances in Treatment of Bipolar Disorder helps clinicians to better understand the utility of both older medications and important new treatment options as it highlights the need for additional research to ensure further progress in overcoming the challenges of caring for patients with bipolar disorder.
Terence A. Ketter, M.D., is Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Chief of the Bipolar Disorders Clinic at Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, California.
