Introduction to treatment of Bipolar Disorder
It is vital at the start of this section to emphasize that the optimal treatment of bipolar disorder should involve, in almost all cases, a combination of approaches and therapeutic tools which should be used together in a way which is:
- tailored to the individual
- is responsive to the course, development and improvement of symptoms over time and may emphasise different components at different times
In our opinion the ideal approach has to be a collaborative one which usually requires:
- early recognition of symptoms and correct diagnosis
- acceptance of the existence of the problem
There is good clinical evidence for the following tools being used in combination:
- Some form of clear information giving, 'psychoeducation' and opportunity of clarification of questions and concerns about diagnosis and treament
- Some type of pharmacological (drug) therapy
- Some form of talking based therapy
The information we are making availble is up-to-date as of December 2006 and is presented at two levels. First as a summary, and second in a detailed form accessible from the summary. It is unashamedly designed to be useful to professionals but we hope it will be useful to everyone who reads it.
Equilibrium stongly supports the principle of 'Evidence Based Treatment'. This involves making treatment decisons based on the independent assimilation and evaluation of the available evidence for and against individual and combination treatments. Such information needs to be made available in a digestible way- not only for professionals, but also in a form suitable for the public.
Updating Strategy
The material presented here was first presented as part of the UK National Library of Mental Health Knowledge Week on Bipolar Disorder in 2006 but is now being updated to reflect the literature to the end of 2007.
As each of the three sections is updated to the end of 2007 it will be confirmed here.
1. Acute Bipolar Depression section- updated to end of 2007 as per UK National Library of Mental Health Knowlege week search review strategy 12th November 2008.
the sections on Acute Mania and Maintainence therapy will follow shortly.
It is our aim to support and resource an annual incremental evidence based update.
We
recognise the help and collaboration of the UK National Library for
Mental Health, Minervation and in particular the help of Eli Harris at
Minervation in the preparation of this section.
