Bipolar Disorder Across the Life Cycle

Bipolar Disorder Across the Life Cycle is a 3-hour online continuing education (CE) course that provides clinicians with practical guidance in understanding and treating Bipolar disorder (BD).

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that has seven different diagnostic types. It is a major affective disorder marked by severe mood swings (manic or major depressive episodes) and a tendency to remission and recurrence. It causes episodic pathological mood alterations resulting in extreme shifts in mood, energy, and behavior. Bipolar disorder frequently occurs with other mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders (such as panic attacks), behavioral disorders (such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), and substance abuse (NIH, 2019).

The causes of BD are not always clear, but it does run in families. Abnormal brain structure and function may also play a role. This disorder most often appears in late adolescence or early adulthood, although symptoms can begin at any time of life, even during childhood. The illness usually lasts a lifetime. Untreated, BD can lead to damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. While there are a number of very effective medications available for treating individuals with BD, the therapy is not without complications. The most used medications for BD are mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants, and atypical antipsychotics, frequently prescribed in some combination.

Course #31-27 | 2020 | 60 pages | 20 posttest questions