Therapies for first-episode bipolar disorder

What is first-episode bipolar disorder?

The course of bipolar disorder and its treatment response tends to worsen over time, highlighting the importance of early intervention. As bipolar disorder cannot be diagnosed on the basis of depression alone, the onset of a manic episode may indicate an underlying bipolar disorder. Interventions for first-episode psychosis or depression have begun to be extended to those with bipolar disorder, however such interventions need to be tailored to suit people with first-episode bipolar disorder, and research is sparse for these patients.

What is the evidence for psychosocial treatments for first-episode bipolar disorder?

Low quality evidence is unable to determine the benefits of interventions for people with first-episode bipolar disorder. More research is needed.

November 2021

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Last updated at: 2:14 pm, 15th February 2022
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