ABSTRACT
Bipolar disorder is a common psychiatric disorder that includes periods of abnormal mood elevation. There are no diagnostic laboratory tests for bipolar disorder. Successful treatment of bipolar disorder usually improves these other conditions. Likewise, successful treatment of these conditions usually improves the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Effective acute phase treatment ameliorates symptoms of the depressive episode, but discontinuation prior to the natural end point is associated with high rates of relapse. The discontinuation phase follows a decision to discontinue a treatment and involves monitoring for recurrence while gradually tapering medication. Drugs approved for labeling for treatment of epilepsy by the US Food and Drug Administration are often used to treat bipolar disorder. The priority for Ms G is to develop a treatment plan that minimizes the risk of recurrence and makes provisions to reduce the harm to her and her family caused by any future episodes.
