How to Diagnose Bipolar Disorder

Topics: Bipolar Depression | Bipolar Disorder | Bipolar II | Diagnosis | DSM | Hypomania | Mania | Mixed Features | Mood

TCPR: When I ask a depressed patient if they’ve ever had manic symptoms, I often run into a problem. They say, “Of course I feel more confident, energetic, and happy ... when I’m not depressed.”Dr. Parker: As it can be hard to tease apart true hypomania from normal happiness, we’ve developed a rating scale to assist, the Sydney Bipolar Screene

Psychopharmacology in Bipolar II

Topics: Bipolar Disorder | Hypomania | Mania | Mixed Features | Mood Stabilizers

TCPR: You’ve carved out a unique practice with difficult-to-treat bipolar disorders. Tell us about the patients you see. Dr. Kelly: I see a lot of bipolar II and “softer bipolar.” Clinically these patients have chronic depression, often mixed with hypomanic symptoms. Nearly all have tried multiple antidepressants that didn’t work, stopped worki