Bipolar Flashcards
Peak onset of Bipolar disorder
15-19y
(VS schizophrenia 23y)
Bipolar is a __________ mood disorder
Lifelong, cyclical mood disorder with variable course
- Recurrent fluctuations in mood, energy, behavior
- Note that it is usually dominated by depressive episodes (80%)
- Cycle frequency accelerates as illness progresses
Bipolar 1st episode presentation in males and females
Males - commonly manic episodes
Females - commonly depressive episodes
What is “rapid cycling”?
Rapid cycling
- 4 or more mood episodes of mania, hypomanic, or depressive episodes, within 12 months
Risk factors of bipolar disorder
- Genetics
- Treatment-induced mania (antidepressant, ECT)
- Induced by general medical conditions
- History of trauma - perinatal trauma, head trauma, physical abuse
- Physical stressors
- Seasonal changes
Antidepressant-induced mania
- Mechanism
- Onset
Mechanism is unknown: incr in NE and Dopamine transmission
Fast onset: initial few days to 2 weeks (as fast as 3 days)
Use of antidepressant increases the risk of developing mania/bipolar disorder (diagnosis: bipolar depression rather than MDD)
*Antidepressants can induce mania in 1-2 weeks or within 3 days, induce suicidality in 1-2 months
ECT-induced mania
- Mechanism
1 in 4 will switch from depressed to hypomania/manic mood due to the fast release of neurotransmitters from electrical stimulation in the brain
What are some medical conditions that induce mania?
CNS disorders
- brain tumor, stroke, head injuries, multiple sclerosis
CNS infections
- encephalitis, sepsis, HIV
Electrolyte or metabolic abnormalities
- calcium or sodium fluctuations, hyper or hypoglycemia
Endocrine or hormonal dysregulation
- cushing disease (incr ACTH, incr cortisol), hyperthyroidism
Vitamins and nutritional deficiencies
- amino acids, fatty acids, vit B
What are some medications/drugs that induce mania?
- Alcohol intoxication
- Drug withdrawal states (alcohol, a2 agonist, antidepressants, barbiturates, BZDs, opiates)
- Antidepressants
- DA-augmenting agents (CNS stimulants - amphetamines, sympathomimetics; DA agonists)
- NE-augmenting agents (a2 antagonist, B agonists, NE reuptake inhibitors)
- Steroids (esp systemic - cause anxiety, psychosis, depression)
- Thyroid preparations (T3 or T4)
- Xanthines (caffeine, theophylline)
- OTC weight loss and decongestants (ephedra - Ma huang, pseudoephedrine)
- St John Wort
Avoid agents that increases NE and Dopamine activity
Clinical presentation of bipolar disorder
*Key feature is history of mania/hypomania not caused by any other medical conditions/substances
- Abnormal and persistently elevated/expansive/irritable mood
- DIGFAST
- Distractability
- Irresponsibility
- Grandiosity
- Flight of ideas
- Activity increased (incr goal directed activity, or psychomotor agitation)
- Sleep need is decreased (*not the same as insomnia)
- Talkativeness (more talkative than usual, pressured speech)
Manic episode: at least 3 symptoms + elevated/expansive mood OR at least 4 symptoms + irritable mood
Duration of mood episode:
- Major depressive
- Manic
- Hypomanic
- Major depressive: >2 weeks + functional impairment
- Manic: >=1 weeks + functional impairment
- Hypomanic: >=4 days, no functional impairment, no psychosis
Bipolar I vs Bipolar II
Bipolar I - mania +/- depressive episodes
Bipolar II - hypomania + depressive episodes
General assessments
- History of present illness
- Psychiatric history – history of manic/hypomanic episodes - bipolar depression cannot use antidepressants, risk of manic switch
- Substance use – cigarettes, alcohol, substances
- Complete medical history and medication history (Drug allergy? Other medications? Compliance? Surgical history - thyroid glands etc.)
- Family, social, forensic, developmental, and occupational history (1st-degree FH of illness, treatment, and response; review psychosocial circumstances every visit)
- Physical and neurological exam (Injury? Esp head trauma?)
- Mental state exam (Suicidal, homicidal ideations and risks; Reassess MSE every interview to evaluate efficacy and tolerability)
- Labs and other investigations - Vital signs (BP, O2), weight, BMI, FBC, urea, electrolyte, creatinine, LFTs, TFTs, ECG, FBG, lipid panel, urine toxicology, pregnancy test
FBC: rule out anemia, infection
Kidney and Liver function: LFT not required for Lithium
TFTs: rule out hyperthyroidism - manic mood
ECG: cardiac abnormalities (lithium, antipsychotics - ziprasidone, haloperidol) may cause arrhythmias)
Urine toxicology: barbiturates, amphetamines, BZDs, cocaine, cannabinoids
Pregnancy test: valproate and lithium are teratogenic
PGx test: Carbamazepine
Exclude general medical conditions or substance-induced/withdrawal symptoms (e.g., psychosis, depression, mania, anxiety, insomnia)
Goals of treatment in bipolar disorders
- Reduce frequency, severity, and duration of mood episodes (since bipolar is lifelong)
- Prevent suicide
- Maximize adherence with therapy
- Minimize adverse effects
- Acute treatment phase: eliminate mood episode with remission of symptoms
- Maintenance/Continuation treatment phase: goals 1,2 + regain psychosocial functioning, avoidance of stressors or substances that may precipitate an acute mood episode
Non-pharmacological treatment in bipolar
Psychoeducation
- recognize early signs and symptoms of mania and depression
- chart mood changes (e.g., in diary)
- compliance
- psychosocial, physicals stressors, substances/drugs that may precipitate episode
- strategies for coping with stressful life events
- development of a crisis intervention plan
Psychotherapy
- e.g., CBT
Stress reduction techniques
- relaxation techniques
Sleep hygiene
- regular bedtime and awake schedule; avoid alcohol or caffeine intake prior to bedtime
Nutrition
- regular intake of protein-rish foods or drinks and essential fatty acids; supplemental vitamins and minerals
Exercise
- Regular aerobic and weight training at least 3x per week
Pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder
- Short course of PRN benzodiazepines (adjunctive during acute phase)
- Start mood stabilizer for acute phase treatment
[Pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder]
Short course of PRN benzodiazepines (adjunctive during acute phase)
- Use?
- Help patient relax and sleep
- Onset within hours
- Short-term symptom relief until mood stabilizers are effective
- Taper off when condition improved and mood stabilizer optimized
[Pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder]
Start mood stabilizer for acute phase treatment
- List the mood stabilizer options
- Explain choice of mood stabilizer
Goal of acute phase treatment: eliminate mood episode with remission of symptoms, also protects from severe depression
Onset: within 3-5 days to stabilize mood (therefore short-term BZD required before mood stabilizers’ onset of effectiveness)
Mood stabilizers:
(Mania)
- Lithium
- Antipsychotics
- Valproate
- Carbamazepine
(Bipolar depression)
- Lithium
- Antipsychotics
- Lamotrigine
Choice of mood stabilizer based on:
- Response
- Tolerability
- Serum drug levels (TDM)
- Avoidance of DDIs
- Type and trend of mood episodes
- Suicide risk
[Pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder]
Which antipsychotics may be used in mania?
All antipsychotics can be used for mania
SGA: Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone, Aripiprazole
(Ran Out Away Quiet)
FGA: Haloperidol
If pt gets well on SGA for acute phase mania, may continue that drug for maintenance, consider using LAI (R 2w) (A 1m)
For long-term maintenance treatment, only OAQ are licensed, the other SGAs and Haloperidol are off-label use in mania
FYI: antipsychotics may relieve agitation within an hour if used alone or with BZD for rapid tranquilization
[Pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder]
Which is first line in mania?
- Lithium
- Antipsychotics
- Valproate
- Carbamazepine
Lithium is the 1st line for maintenance and relapse/suicide prevention
But if ineffective/poorly tolerated (due to lithium toxicities), Olanzapine/Quetiapine can be considered
Valproate is least preferred
Carbamazepine is last line
[Pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder]
What combinations may be used in mania?
If monotherapy ineffective, consider:
- Lithium and/or Valproate +/- Antipsychotics
[Pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder]
Which antipsychotics can be used in bipolar depression?
- Quetiapine
- Olanzapine + Fluoxetine (Symbyax capsule)
- Others (FYI): Lurasidone, Cariprazine
*Olanzapine alone has limited antidepressant properties
*Quetiapine may be sedating + orthostatic hypotension
*Recall Symbyax is also used in treatment-resistant depression
[Pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder]
Which is first line in bipolar depression?
- Lithium
- Antipsychotics
- Lamotrigine
Lithium is 1st line for maintenance and relapse/suicide prevention
Lamotrigine has NO anti-manic properties
[Pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder]
What combination can be used in bipolar depression?
Any combination:
- Lithium
- Olanzapine + Fluoxetine
- Quetiapine
- Lamotrigine
[Pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder]
Maintenance therapy choice
- Lithium
- Antipsychotic for long-term maintenance: Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Aripiprazole are licensed; risperidone, haloperidol and others are off-label
[Lithium]
MOA
- Normalizes/inhibits second messenger systems, reduce protein kinase C
- decreases 5HT reuptake
- decreases dopamine release
[Lithium]
TDM
- Steady state: in 5 days
- Acute mania: 0.8 - 1.0 mEq/L
- Maintenance: 0.6-1.0mEq/L
Narrow therapeutic index
- Sampling time: take samples 12h after the previous dose; 5-7 days after initiation/dose changes/interacting drug
- Monitor serum lithium q3-6m in stable patients
*NOTE: aim lower therapeutic range for the elderly since they are more susceptible to side effects
[Lithium]
Side effects
Side effects are dose-dependent
Common SEs at >0.8mEq/L:
- Fine to coarse tremors
- Polyuria
- Hypothyroidism
- Cardiac effects (ECG changes)
- Nausea
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Cognitive impairment
- Diabetes insipidus
Mild (1.5-2.0 mEq/L)
- GI SEs: nausea, vomiting, loose stools
- CNS SEs: lethargy, confusion, coarse hand tremors, drowsiness, light-headedness
Moderate (2.0-2.5 mEq/L)
- GI SEs: severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- CNS SEs: slurred speech, worsening confusion, ataxia, blurred vision, profound lethargy, tinnitus, apathy
Severe (>3.0 mEq/L)
- GI SEs: severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- CNS SEs: seriously impaired consciousness, increase deep tendon reflexes, stupor, coma, seizures, death
Note that toxicity may increase from mild to severe within hours bc fluid and electrolyte loss cause further increase in lithium concentration)
[Lithium]
Counseling points
- Stomach upset/nausea - take with food
- Increased thirst and urination - sip enough water ~2L, but not excessively
- Tremors, nausea - inform Dr if worsens
- Weight gain - healthy diet, exercise