Bipolar Depression Management

CE / CME

Decoding Complexity: Best Practices in Identifying and Managing Bipolar Depression with DSM-5-TR Specifiers

Nurses: 1.00 Nursing contact hour

Pharmacists: 1.00 contact hour (0.1 CEUs)

Physicians: Maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit

Released: June 05, 2024

Expiration: June 04, 2025

Roger S McIntyre
Roger S McIntyre, MD, FRCPC

Pretest

Progress
1 2 3
Course Completed
Please answer the questions below.
1.

Which of the following is true for DSM-5-TR course specifiers?

2.

Which of the following is true regarding patients with bipolar and mixed or anxious specifiers?

3.

JK is a 33-yr-old woman initially diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The diagnosis was changed to bipolar II depression 3 yr ago after she experienced a hypomanic episode. In retrospect, she likely had a hypomanic episode in her early 20s that was missed.


She has received sequential antidepressants in the past, which were initially partially effective but not effective long term. She has also received psychotherapy (primarily cognitive behavioral therapy).


Currently, the focus of clinical concern is prominent anxiety which has been very distressing. With her depression, she is experiencing distractibility, dysphoria, and racing thoughts, and she can be quite short fused with friends (irritability). Her BMI is 27.5 and her thyroid is normal.


Her current diagnosis is bipolar depression with mixed features. Her symptoms fall short of the criteria for anxious distress.

What is the best treatment option for her at this time?