The management of bipolar disorder in primary care: A review of existing and emerging therapies

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that the prevalence of bipolar disorder is as much as fivefold higher than previously believed, and may amount to nearly 5% of the population, making it almost as common if as unipolar major depression. It is, therefore, not unrealistic to assume that primary care or family physicians will frequently encounter bipolar patients in their practice. Such patients may present with a depressive episode, for a variety of medical reasons, for longer-term maintenance after stabilization, and even with an acute manic episode. Whatever the reason, a working knowledge of current trends in the acute and longer-term management of bipolar disorder would be helpful to the primary ca..