The treatment of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents

Author(s):  
Philip Hazell

The presentation of bipolar disorder in young people can be different from that of adults; therefore, the approach to treatment differs slightly. Treatment is described for early intervention, acute mania, bipolar depression, relapse prevention, and refractory bipolar disorder. A strong therapeutic alliance with the patient and engagement and involvement of the patient’s family is critical to successful intervention. The evidence informing treatment is limited, but there is emerging research focused on the management of acute mania favouring monotherapy with a second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) over a mood stabilizer. Preliminary data favour a combination of an SGA and antidepressant over monotherapy with an SGA for the treatment of bipolar depression. Guidelines endorse electroconvulsive therapy for refractory mania and bipolar depression but there is no clinical trial evidence to support this practice. The development of algorithms to guide the management of all phases of bipolar disorder is a work in progress.

2017 ◽  
Vol 211 (3) ◽  
pp. 132-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul R. A. Stokes ◽  
Nicola J. Kalk ◽  
Allan H. Young

SummaryAddictions are highly prevalent in bipolar disorder and greatly affect clinical outcomes. In this editorial, we review the evidence that addictions are a key challenge in bipolar disorder, examine putative neurobiological mechanisms, and reflect on the limited clinical trial evidence base with suggestions for treatment strategies and further developments.


2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 458-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
YC Janardhan Reddy ◽  
Venugopal Jhanwar ◽  
Rajesh Nagpal ◽  
MS Reddy ◽  
Nilesh Shah ◽  
...  

Objective: The treatment of bipolar disorder is challenging because of its clinical complexity and availability of multiple treatment options, none of which are ideal mood stabilizers. This survey studies prescription practices of psychiatrists in India and their adherence to guidelines. Method: In total, 500 psychiatrists randomly selected from the Indian Psychiatric Society membership directory were administered a face-to-face 22-item questionnaire pertaining to the management of bipolar disorder. Results: For acute mania, most practitioners preferred a combination of a mood stabilizer and an atypical antipsychotic to monotherapy. For acute depression, there was a preference for a combination of an antidepressant and a mood stabilizer over other alternatives. Electroconvulsive therapy was preferred in the treatment of severe episodes and to hasten the process of recovery. Approximately, 50% of psychiatrists prescribe maintenance treatment after the first bipolar episode, but maintenance therapy was rarely offered lifelong. While the majority (85%) of psychiatrists acknowledged referring to various clinical guidelines, their ultimate choice of treatment was also significantly determined by personal experience and reference to textbooks. Limitations: The study did not study actual prescriptions. Hence, the responses to queries in the survey are indirect measures from which we have tried to understand the actual practices, and of course, these are susceptible to self-report and social-desirability biases. This was a cross-sectional study; therefore, temporal changes in responses could not be considered. Conclusion: Overall, Indian psychiatrists seemed to broadly adhere to recommendations of clinical practice guidelines, but with some notable exceptions. The preference for antidepressants in treating depression is contrary to general restraint recommended by most guidelines. Therefore, the efficacy of antidepressants in treating bipolar depression in the context of Indian psychiatrists’ practice needs to be studied systematically. Not initiating maintenance treatment early in the course of illness may have serious implications on the long-term outcome of bipolar disorder.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Sanjay Kalra ◽  
Deepak Khandelwal ◽  
Sarita Bajaj ◽  
Ashok Kumar Das

The kidney is important in the context of diabetes not only because it is involved in normal glucose homeostasis, but also because it is one of the most important end organs to be involved in diabetes complications. Glomeruli are the meeting point of both microvascular, or renal; and macrovascular, or cardiovascular, health in diabetes. Sulfonylureas are effective glucose-lowering drugs. While a sulfonylurea-based glucose-lowering strategy is nephro-safe and nephro-protective, this aspect of sulfonylurea pharmaco-biology has not been highlighted earlier. In this editorial, we discuss current preclinical and clinical trial evidence regarding the performance of modern sulfonylureas at the glomerular battlefield.


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