Pharmacologic Mood Destabilization: Case Vignettes

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (S11) ◽  
pp. 9-11
Author(s):  
Alan C. Swann

Bipolar disorder is an illness characterized by inherent mood instability that produces a predisposition to depressive, hypomanic, or manic episodes. This predisposition to affective episodes, rather than the episodes themselves (which can have many causes), is arguably the hallmark of bipolar disorder.Most episodes of bipolar disorder, including the first episode, are depressive. This exposes an inherent flaw in our nosological system, which requires a manic or hypomanic episode for diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Treatment of a depressive episode in undiagnosed bipolar disorder can entail the use of medications that were developed to treat a different disorder (major depressive illness) and that may have mood-destabilizing or activating properties.

2017 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 119-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda Pedrotti Moreira ◽  
Karen Jansen ◽  
Taiane de Azevedo Cardoso ◽  
Thaíse Campos Mondin ◽  
Pedro Vieira da Silva Magalhães ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Simona Trifu ◽  
Alexandru Gherman ◽  
Alexandra Militaru ◽  
Ilinca Vlaicu Raisa ◽  
Constantinescu Coban ◽  
...  

Motivation: A psychiatric patient should be looked at in the longitudinal dynamics of their life because it is possible that during youth, mental suffering has a certain tone to it, which is later erased, transformed or moved, through a greater or lesser contact with the ideas or the affect. Objective: We want to present the life history and dynamics of a subject whose first episode of mental illness of a depressive nature was around the age of 20, and to emphasize how over the years, this nature has faded. Currently, there is an absence of connection between the symptoms and the possible causalities. Material and methods: psychiatric and psychoanalytic interviews in dynamics, analysis of the life map, interpretations, the symptom’s evolution under medication, social support, identification of positive and negative prognostic factors, differential diagnoses, performing the diagnostic tree. Results: The patient presented a first depressive episode in youth with a trigger related to an important emotional relationship; the episode overlapping with childhood difficulties (a father with a penal past, absence of parental Superego, attempts to build a shield through divinity). There follows a period of well-being, over which, about ten years ago, a hypochondriac pathology occurs, which associates the significant change of in a bizarre psychotic sense, with homelessness, delusional interpretation and completed with suicide attempt, so that the last episode is predominantly psychotic, but with a mystical and guilt theme and sin, with important changes, which also highlights the paranoid personality background of the person in question. Conclusion: The personality structure along with social functioning are important milestones of clinical evolution, beyond the main diagnosis of axis I, which in this case remained of recurrent depressive disorder, major depressive episode with psychotic phenomena, with the first two differential diagnoses: Bipolar disorder or schizophrenia depressive episode


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
D. Breznoscakova ◽  
E. Palova ◽  
J. Dragasek ◽  
K. Losonciova ◽  
J. Uhrin

Introduction:Bipolar disorder (BD) is chronic psychiatric disorder by mood swings, symptoms of BD are serious and life-threating. Suicide risk in patients with BD is 25-50%, more frequent during depressive episode (Compton,2000) but with adequate treatment suicide risk can be presented in nearby 50% of patients only (Goodwin, Jamison,2006). Despite these facts data about the changes of treatment habits over the longer period of time under naturalistic condition are lacking.The aim of study:To assess presence of suicidal thoughts and attempts in inpatients with BD and follow-up changes of treatment with lithium over the period of time.Patients and methods:It was retrospective survey of in-patient's files hospitalized at the 1st Dept. of Psychiatry, UPJS, Kosice (1997-2007) with typical limitations for retrospective case survey. All patients had diagnosis of BD (DSM-IV), n=125 (67% of women and 33% of men). We discovered changes in suicidal behaviour with/without treatment of lithium.Results:The first episode was depressive in 62% of patients, average number of episodes: 8,2. There was trend of decrease in use of lithium over the time (68% vs 84% in men, 29% vs 60% in women). The suicidal thoughts were more frequent during depressive episode (in 50% of women and 18% of men). Suicidal thoughts and attempts were 3 times more frequent in women vs men with BD. Suicidal attempts were 4 times more frequent in women with treatment with lithium vs without lithium.


2012 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. CMPsy.S7989 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Cardinali ◽  
María F. Vidal ◽  
Daniel E. Vigo

Circadian rhythm abnormalities, as shown by sleep/wake cycle disturbances, constitute one the most prevalent signs of depressive illness; advances or delays in the circadian phase are documented in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The disturbances in the amplitude and phase of rhythm in melatonin secretion that occur in patients with depression resemble those seen in chronobiological disorders, thus suggesting a link between disturbed melatonin secretion and depressed mood. Based on this, agomelatine, the first MT1/MT2 melatonergic agonist displaying also 5-HT2C serotonergic antagonism, has been introduced as an antidepressant. Agomelatine has been shown to be effective in several animal models of depression and anxiety and it has beneficial effects in patients with MDD, bipolar disorder, or SAD. Among agomelatine's characteristics are a rapid onset of action and a pronounced effectiveness for correcting circadian rhythm abnormalities and improving the sleep/wake cycle. Agomelatine also improves the 3 functional dimensions of depression—emotional, cognitive, and social—thus aiding in the full recovery of patients to a normal life.


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