This presentation reviews the array of treatment options for individuals with bipolar depression. It discusses clinical trials data, meta-analyses, and anecdotal evidence from the speaker's years of treating bipolar disorder in a bipolar specialty clinic at Emory University. The treatments discussed include conventional psychopharmacologic options, such as mood stabilizers, second-generation antipsychotics, and antidepressants. Some attention is given to novel treatments, including wake-promoting agents and thyroid hormone. Finally, psychosocial treatments including cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy are discussed as well. The factors considered in developing a treatment algorithm/plan for bipolar depression are also reviewed.

Learning Objectives

• List the conventional psychopharmacological agents used in the treatment of bipolar depression
• List the novel psychopharmacological agents used in the treatment of bipolar depression
• List psychosocial treatment options used in the treatment of bipolar depression
• List the factors considered when developing a treatment plan for bipolar depression

Target Audience

Psychiatrist, physician (non-psychiatric), physician assistant, nurse/nurse practitioner

Instructional Level

Intermediate

Estimate Time to Complete

Estimated Duration: 1.0 hour
Program Start Date: July 17, 2020
Program End Date: July 17, 2026

Ongoing Interdisciplinary Discussion Board

After completing the course, engage with colleagues in the mental health field through SMI Adviser's Webinar Roundtable Topics discussion board. This is an easy way to network and share ideas with other clinicians who participate in this webinar. Access through the discussion tab.

How to Earn Credit

Participants who wish to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, nursing continuing professional development pharmacology contact hours (NCPD, formerly CNE), or a certificate of participation may do so by completing all sections of the course, including the evaluation. A multiple-choice quiz is provided based on the content. A passing score of 75% must be achieved. After evaluating the program, course participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians), NCPD certificate (nurses), or certificate of participation (other disciplines) showing the completion date and hours earned.

Continuing Education Credit

Physicians

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The APA designates this enduring event for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurse/Nurse Practitioners

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Faculty and Planner Disclosures

Instructor

• Jeffrey Rakofsky, MD, Director, Medical Student Education, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University. Disclosure: Grant/Research - American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology National Institutes of Mental Health.

Planners

• Teri Brister, PhD, LPC, National Alliance on Mental Illness. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Tristan Gorrindo, MD, American Psychiatric Association. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Donna Rolin, PhD, APRN, University of Texas at Austin. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.

• Donna Rolin, PhD, APRN, University of Texas at Austin. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. (Reviewed on 7/7/2023)
• Teri Brister, PhD, LPC, National Alliance on Mental Illness. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. (Reviewed on 7/5/2023)
• John Torous, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. (Reviewed on 6/29/2023)

Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities

The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance.

Technical Requirements

This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:

• The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
• Internet Explorer 11+

This Web site requires that JavaScript and session cookies be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be: Adobe Flash, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Windows Media Player.

Optimal System Configuration:

• Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
• Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
• Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher

Minimum Requirements:

• Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
• Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content

For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity | Contact SMIadviserhelp@psych.org for technical assistance