Bipolar Disorder (July/August)

Date of Issue: 07/01/2008 | Volume: 6 | Number: 7&8

Issue Links:Learning Objectives | Editorial Information

Teaser to be posted soon.

In This Issue

Article

Antidepressants and Bipolar Disorder: An Update

Topics: Antidepressants | Bipolar Disorder

Much of what is confusing and controversial in the treatment of bipolar disorder revolves around the role of antidepressants. Are they dangerous or safe? Are they effective or ineffective? Does it matter whether the patient has Bipolar I or II?

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Article

Lamictal: What is it Good For?

Topics: Mood Stabilizers

Lamictal (lamotrigine) is immensely popular among American psychiatrists. A recent survey found that it is prescribed more frequently than any other mood stabilizer (Clin Psychiatry News, June 2008, page 1).

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Article

Weight Gain and Mood Stabilizers

Topics: Mood Stabilizers

While we have become sensitized to worrying about weight gain caused by antipsychotics, this side effect does occur with standard mood stabilizers as well. Recently, a comprehensive literature review was published evaluating the weight gain liabilities of medications commonly used to treat bipolar disorder (Torrent et al., Acta Psychiatrica Scand 2008;118:4-18). Here is what they found.

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Expert QA

The Case in Favor of the Bipolar Spectrum

Dr. Phelps, before we begin, I know that you have always been very up front about the fact that you speak for drug companies, and I wonder how you think this might influence what you have to say about the diagnosis of bipolar disorder?

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Expert QA

Is Bipolar Disorder Overdiagnosed?

Topics: Bipolar Disorder

Dr. Zimmerman, you recently published a paper in which you suggested that bipolar disorder is overdiagnosed in some populations. Can you describe that research?

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Research Update

SSRIs show weak advantage over bupropion for anxious depression

Topics: Depressive Disorder

Last year, we reviewed a meta-analysis implying that bupropion is as effective as SSRIs for the treatment of patients with mixed anxiety and depression (TCPR, Aug 2007). In a new paper, these same researchers have sliced and diced the data a bit differently in order to answer this topic more confidently.

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Research Update

Computer as psychotherapist?

Topics: Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is widely acknowledged to be the most well-researched, and possibly the most effective therapy option for a wide variety of disorders. The problem is that it is not widely available, particularly in the treatment of patients with substance abuse disorders.

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Tales From History

The History of Depakote

Topics: Pharmacology

Valproate originally saw the light of day in the German laboratory of Beverly Burton, in 1882. She was engaged in research on fatty acids, and synthesized a new one, called 2-propylvaleric acid.

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