The sheer number of potentially useful medications makes clinical decisions more complex, and the revised guidelines help bridge the gap between the research and evidence and the key clinical decisions. The panel highlighted important clinical questions that had not yet been adequately addressed or definitely answered. A review of the survey results found that a consensus was reached on 89 percent of the key strategies, and the panel came up with four key recommendations. The impact of bipolar disorder on families and friends can be tremendous, and they often are uncertain about the illness and how to treat it. This section explains symptoms, causes, treatments, and medications for bipolar disorder, and also gives suggestions for other references on bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder is a serious, potentially fatal illness.
Although effective treatments exist, there is an average lapse of eight years from onset of symptoms to treatment. Symptoms and severity vary, but the disorder is marked by mood changes in cycles over time. Over the course of the illness, the person experiences periods of elevated mood, periods of depressed mood, and times when mood is normal. Any question regarding a medical diagnosis, treatment, referral, drug availability or pricing should be directed to either a licensed physician or to the product's manufacturer.