INTRODUCTION
DR PARKER: Ms G is a 25-year-old woman who is slowly coming to terms with her diagnosis of bipolar disorder. She lives with her boyfriend and currently attends school. She experienced 2 manic episodes resulting in inpatient psychiatry hospitalizations. Ms G has lost her medical insurance, which is complicating her access to medical and psychiatric care.
In the summer of 1998, Ms G worked in a restaurant, and described the atmosphere as "very tense, pressured, nonsupportive, and demanding." Although she cannot recall all the details, her family brought her to a local emergency department for evaluation of her agitated mental state. She was transferred by ambulance to an inpatient psychiatry unit.
At admission, Ms G described symptoms of hopelessness, difficulty sleeping, emotional lability, decreased appetite, and decreased energy. She denied any suicidal feelings or hallucinations. She complained that "electrical waves" were bothering her. The admitting . . . [Full Text of this Article]
MS G: HER VIEWS
DR Z: HER VIEWS
AT THE CROSSROADS: QUESTIONS FOR DR SACHS
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Epidemiology and Course of Illness
Psychiatric Comorbidities
How Is Bipolar Disorder Treated?
Acute Phase
Continuation Phase
Discontinuation Phase and Maintenance Phase
Who Should Have Maintenance Treatment?
How Well Does Treatment Work?
Risks and Benefits of Medication and Psychotherapy
Special Populations
New Treatments on the Horizon
Recommendations for Ms G
QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION
