Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Depression: Overview

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by significant mood fluctuations, including episodes of mania and depression. Elevated energy levels, heightened mood or irritability, impulsive behavior, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and distractibility characterize mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder often alternate between depressive and manic states, with periods of emotional stability lasting an average of six months to a year.

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...

Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview

Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview

Mania, a psychological condition characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and reduced sleep need, is part of the bipolar disorder cycle. The exact cause of mania isn't entirely known, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Bipolar disorder involves alternating manic and depressive episodes. Mood stabilizers like lithium, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants help manage these episodes. Lithium carbonate is particularly effective as a...

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...

Antidepressant Drugs: Overview

Antidepressant Drugs: Overview

Antidepressant drugs are a class of medications primarily used for treating various mood disorders, including major depression, anxiety disorders, and other related conditions. These medicines work by modulating the neurotransmitter balance within the brain, alleviating depressive symptoms. Antidepressants can be broadly categorized into several groups according to their mechanism of action and chemical structure: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin-Norepinephrine...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

KIOS: A smartphone app for self-monitoring for patients with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorders·2023

Same author

Childhood trauma and treatment outcomes during mood-stabilising treatment with lithium or quetiapine among outpatients with bipolar disorder.

Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica·2022

Same author

Lithium plus antipsychotics or anticonvulsants for bipolar disorder: Comparing clinical response and metabolic changes.

The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry·2022

Same author

Cardiometabolic risk markers during mood-stabilizing treatment: Correlation with drug-specific effects, depressive symptoms and treatment response.

Journal of affective disorders·2021

Same author

Response and remission rates during 24 weeks of mood-stabilizing treatment for bipolar depression depending on early non-response.

Psychiatry research·2021

Same author

Development of a Patient-Centered Software System to Facilitate Effective Management of Bipolar Disorder.

Psychopharmacology bulletin·2021

Same journal

A Student-Faculty Collaboration: Embedding Trauma-Informed Care in Medical Education.

Harvard review of psychiatry·2026

Same journal

Inpatient Management of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal: A Narrative Review of a Systematic, Individualized Taper Design.

Harvard review of psychiatry·2026

Same journal

Application of mHealth Approaches to Increase Access to and Engagement of Mental Health Treatment Among Underserved Communities.

Harvard review of psychiatry·2026

Same journal

Integrating Climate Change and Mental Health into Medical Education: A Narrative Review of Interventions and Assessment Tools.

Harvard review of psychiatry·2026

Same journal

The Long Road Back: An Integrative and Interdisciplinary Approach to Care After Traumatic Brain Injury.

Harvard review of psychiatry·2026

Same journal

Poverty, Policy, and Mental Health Inequities: Evidence, Challenges, and Opportunities.

Harvard review of psychiatry·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder

Published on: May 2, 2025

Bipolar depression: overview and commentary.

Ross J Baldessarini¹, Eduard Vieta, Joseph R Calabrese

¹Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA. rjb@mclean.org <rjb@mclean.org>

Harvard Review of Psychiatry

|April 27, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Bipolar depression, often misdiagnosed, presents significant challenges despite current treatments. Emerging therapies like anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and lithium show partial effectiveness for this debilitating condition.

More Related Videos

Closed-Loop Neurostimulation for Biomarker-Driven, Personalized Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Closed-Loop Neurostimulation for Biomarker-Driven, Personalized Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Published on: July 7, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder

Published on: May 2, 2025

Closed-Loop Neurostimulation for Biomarker-Driven, Personalized Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Closed-Loop Neurostimulation for Biomarker-Driven, Personalized Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Published on: July 7, 2023

Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Neuroscience
Pharmacology

Background:

Depressive phases are the most common aspect of bipolar disorders, persisting even with contemporary treatments.
Bipolar depression often leads to misdiagnosis, limited treatment response, psychiatric comorbidity, substance abuse, functional impairment, and increased mortality.
Recognizing bipolar depression as a major psychiatric challenge is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the prevalence and challenges of bipolar depression.
To emphasize the need for accurate differentiation from unipolar depression.
To review emerging and existing treatment options.

Main Methods:

Literature review of current psychiatric and pharmacological research.
Clinical case analysis for diagnostic differentiation.
Evaluation of treatment efficacy for bipolar depression.

Main Results:

Antidepressant responses in bipolar depression are frequently unsatisfactory and potentially overused.
Emerging treatments including anticonvulsants, modern antipsychotics, and lithium offer partial efficacy.
Accurate diagnosis is essential to distinguish bipolar depression from unipolar major depressive disorders.

Conclusions:

Bipolar depression requires specific diagnostic criteria and targeted therapeutic strategies.
Novel treatments are emerging, offering improved, though partial, effectiveness.
Further research is essential to identify more effective and safer treatments for bipolar depression.