Bipolar Disorder Flashcards
Two main types of bipolar disorder?
- BDI
2. BDII
Define BDI:
Mood disorder with at least 1 wk of:
- elevated or irritable mood
- increased activity or E
Define BDII
Mood disorder w/ both of
- current/past HYPOMANIC episode, and
- current/past depressive episode
A person who has an episode of mania is automatically diagnosed as having…
BDI
T or F: Bipolar disorder is curable
F (it can only be managed and maintained, but not cured)
Which gender has more manic episodes, and which has more depressive episodes?
Males = manic
Women = depressive
In bipolar pts, what can antidepressants do to them?
It can cause them to suffer from mania
NE: excitatory or inhibitory NT?
excitatory
Serotonin: excitatory or inhibitory NT?
inhibitory
DA: excitatory or inhibitory NT?
excitatory
Besides serotonin, what other NT(s) are inhibitory?
GABA
glutamate: excitatory or inhibitory NT?
excitatory
T or F: Relapses in mood episodes make it easier to tx the pt.
F
It actually makes it harder since the brain becomes more and more sensitized and labile
One of the leading causes of death in BD
suicide
Main diff b/w mania and hypomania?
Hypomania symptoms last a shorter amt of time (~4 days), and are less severe
T or F: Patient is diagnosed w/ BDI if he/she has experienced only hypomanic episodes.
F
need a full manic episode for BDI dx
How long does a manic episode need to last to be dx’ed w/ BDI?
1 week at least
T or F: A manic episode is automatically dx’ed as BDII.
F
BDII is characterized by only hypomania and MDD
Differentiate b/w BDI and BDII
They BOTH have MDD, but only BDI has full manic episodes, whereas BDII has hypomania (and no mania)
As soon as mania is seen, it becomes BDI
What is unipolar illness?
MDD (just another term to distinguish it from bipolar disorder)
What is cyclothymia?
Mood disorder that cycles between manic and depressive states without ever fully meeting diagnostic criteria for hypomania, mania, or MDD
T or F: BDI dx can never be made without a full manic episode
T
What are the three main categories of mood stabilizers used for BD tx?
- Li
- anticonvulsants
- atypical antipsychotics
What’re the most commonly used drugs used as mood stabilizers?
- Li
2. valproic acid/divalproex
Li time to peak (liquid)
0.5-1h
Li time to peak (reg. release cap)
1-3 h
Li time to peak (XR)
4-12 h
Li t1/2 w/ normal renal fn:
12-27h
How does Li’s Vd in the elderly differ from that of normal adults?
It decreases due to less body water and lean body mass in elderly ppl
T or F: Li concs in elderly decrease due to reduced body water and lean body mass
F
[Li] INCREASES since it dissolves in less total body water (less dilution = higher conc)
Main elimination organ of Li?
Kidneys
Which plasma protein does Li bind to?
None
How is Li reabsorbed by the kidneys?
With Na
What kind of diet should pts taking Li avoid?
Na-free diets (will lead to the body holding on to/reabsorbing Na > the body will also hang on to/reabsorb Li)
How does dehydration affect Li levels and why?
It leads to reabsorption of Na > water AND Li follow > Li tox