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The Role of Complex Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Refractory Bipolar Illness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 July 2018

Robert M. Post
Affiliation:
Biological Psychiatry Branch at the National Institute of Mental health in Bethesda, Md.
Mark A. Frye
Affiliation:
Biological Psychiatry Branch at the National Institute of Mental health in Bethesda, Md.
Gabriele S. Leverich
Affiliation:
Biological Psychiatry Branch at the National Institute of Mental health in Bethesda, Md.
Kirk D. Denicoff
Affiliation:
Biological Psychiatry Branch at the National Institute of Mental health in Bethesda, Md.

Abstract

In this article, we present rationales for using complex combination therapy in treatment-refractory bipolar patients and discuss the agents available for use in this therapeutic approach. We review a case example of successful remission that was achievable only with complex combination therapy, and examine its theoretical implications. Practical approaches to devising the optimal complex combination treatment for individual patients are explained, and we look to the development of new methodologies and a more systematic database for decision making in the future.

Type
Feature Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998

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