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Chapter 21 - The Burden of Bipolar Depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 May 2024

By
Allan Young  and
Dominic Cottrell
Edited by
Allan Young ,
Marsal Sanches ,
Jair C. Soares  and
Mario Juruena
Allan Young
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London
Marsal Sanches
Affiliation:
Baylor College of Medicine, Texas
Jair C. Soares
Affiliation:
McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas
Mario Juruena
Affiliation:
King's College London
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Summary

Bipolar depression is an important and difficult to treat facet of bipolar disorder. However, it poses a number of challenges to the clinician. This chapter offers an overview of the difficulties in diagnosing bipolar depression and the main risks associated with it, whilst emphasising the factors which differentiate it from unipolar depression. Following this, there is an overview of the official guidance and evidence base for treatment options. There is an especial focus on pharmacotherapy, but the chapter also reviews psychotherapy, ECT, as well as emerging treatment options, such as sleep interventions and ketamine.

Keywords

bipolardepressionaffectivemoodpharmacotherapymedicationdiagnosis
Type
Chapter
Information
Clinical Textbook of Mood Disorders , pp. 213 - 221
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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