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The Carlat Psychiatry Report

Bipolar Disorder (July/August) | 2008

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Antidepressants and Bipolar Disorder: An Update

July 1, 2008

Much of what is confusing and controversial in the treatment of bipolar disorder revolves around the role of antidepressants. Are they dangerous or safe? Are they effective or ineffective? Does it matter whether the patient has Bipolar I or II? Read More

Lamictal: What is it Good For?

July 1, 2008

Lamictal (lamotrigine) is immensely popular among American psychiatrists. A recent survey found that it is prescribed more frequently than any other mood stabilizer (Clin Psychiatry News, June 2008, page 1). Read More

Weight Gain and Mood Stabilizers

July 1, 2008

While we have become sensitized to worrying about weight gain caused by antipsychotics, this side effect does occur with standard mood stabilizers as well. Recently, a comprehensive literature review was published evaluating the weight gain liabilities of medications commonly used to treat bipolar disorder (Torrent et al., Acta Psychiatrica Scand 2008;118:4-18). Here is what they found. Read More

The Case in Favor of the Bipolar Spectrum

July 1, 2008

Dr. Phelps, before we begin, I know that you have always been very up front about the fact that you speak for drug companies, and I wonder how you think this might influence what you have to say about the diagnosis of bipolar disorder? Read More

Is Bipolar Disorder Overdiagnosed?

July 1, 2008

Dr. Zimmerman, you recently published a paper in which you suggested that bipolar disorder is overdiagnosed in some populations. Can you describe that research? Read More

SSRIs show weak advantage over bupropion for anxious depression

July 1, 2008

Last year, we reviewed a meta-analysis implying that bupropion is as effective as SSRIs for the treatment of patients with mixed anxiety and depression (TCPR, Aug 2007). In a new paper, these same researchers have sliced and diced the data a bit differently in order to answer this topic more confidently. Read More

Computer as psychotherapist?

July 1, 2008

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is widely acknowledged to be the most well-researched, and possibly the most effective therapy option for a wide variety of disorders. The problem is that it is not widely available, particularly in the treatment of patients with substance abuse disorders. Read More

The History of Depakote

July 1, 2008

Valproate originally saw the light of day in the German laboratory of Beverly Burton, in 1882. She was engaged in research on fatty acids, and synthesized a new one, called 2-propylvaleric acid. Read More