Understanding the bipolar spectrum: implications for management and diagnosis in primary care

Author/s
Dean Hanafy, Mark Agius
Citation
Issue 3 Summer 2013
CEPiP.2013;1:347-350
Abstract

Understanding the bipolar spectrum has significant implications for the management of affective disorders in primary care. In this article, we summarise the main consequences for the treatment of patients with bipolar and unipolar depression within the context of general practice. By having an integrated and coherent care pathway between primary and secondary care to treat unipolar depression and bipolar disorder, treatment can be optimised, comorbidities can be identified, iatrogenic disorders can be minimised and the risk of suicide can be reduced.

Keywords: bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, diagnosis, treatment, guidelines, suicidality

Cite as: Cutting Edge Psychiatry in Practice 2013, 3(1):347-350; https://doi.org/10.65031/cfxv9876

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