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The Carlat Psychiatry Report

Bipolar Disorder (July/August) | 2012

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Low Dose Abilify Ineffective as Adjunct for MDD

July 1, 2012

Augmentation of antidepressants with antipsychotics has become a common practice, and aripiprazole (Abilify) has been FDA-approved at doses from 2 mg/day to 15 mg/day for this purpose. In a recent report, 225 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who had failed one to four antidepressant trials were studied to determine whether low dose Abilify really works. Read More

Treating Bipolar Disorder During Pregnancy and Lactation

July 1, 2012

Faina Novosolov, MD

A 32-year-old pregnant woman with bipolar disorder, well-controlled on valproic acid (Depakote), comes into your office wanting advice on medications. What do you do? Read More

A Note From the Editor

July 1, 2012

While bipolar disorder is something we all encounter in practice, views are mixed as to how best to diagnose and treat it. Read More

Is Bipolar Disorder Over-Diagnosed?

July 1, 2012

James Amos, MD

Whether you work in a hospital or an office setting, you’ve probably seen many patients who come to you with a “history of bipolar disorder.” We’ve seen it, too, in multiple settings at an academic medical center. Is this a new epidemic? Or a redefinition of what it means to be “bipolar”? Read More

Current Issues in Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis: The Life Course Method

July 1, 2012

Descartes Li, MD

How should we diagnose bipolar disorder? It isn’t always easy and current bipolar screening tools are problematic for a number of reasons. Read More

Psychosocial Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

July 1, 2012

David Miklowitz, PhD

Why should we as psychiatrists focus on the psychosocial aspects of bipolar disorder? Dr. Miklowitz explores the benefits of a treatment program that combines targeted psychosocial treatments and medication. Read More