Bipolar disorder: Diagnostic issues

Abstract

• Bipolar disorders are cyclical mood disorders with clinical features including distinct sustained periods of mood elevation. • Briefer (4 days or more), mild episodes of mood elevation define bipolar II disorder; lengthier (7 days or more), more severe episodes (or those requiring hospitalisation), with or without psychotic features, define bipolar I disorder. • Depressive periods are more common and lengthier than manic or hypomanic states, and are the main cause of disability. • Bipolar depression may respond poorly to antidepressants and these medications may destabilise the illness. The diagnosis of bipolar disorder should be considered when a patient with depression is treatment resis..