Treatment of bipolar disorder

Management strategies for bipolar disorder often entail relatively long-term, complex medication regimens that combine primary mood stabilizers, antipsychotic agents, antidepressants, and other medications, such as benzodiazepines. New strategies for the management of bipolar disorder have recently been evaluated in controlled clinical trials, including using newer anticonvulsants, replacing conventional antipsychotics with atypical antipsychotics, and using novel combination treatments. This article provides an overview of current management strategies for patients with bipolar disorder and describes how these approaches can be incorporated into clinical practice.