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Diagnosis and treatment in the early illness phase of bipolar disorders

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Abstract

The combination of a long undetected illness and significant psychosocial impairment renders early identification and intervention a vital role in bipolar disorders. Early detection forms the basis for adequate education and for treatment from the beginning. Several lines of evidence indicate that the characterization of early phases in the development of bipolar disorders is feasible. Risk factors for the development of bipolar disorders have been established and a manic prodrome has been characterized that is sufficiently long to allow recognition and, potentially, intervention. Centers specifically focussing on early detection and prevention of bipolar disorders need to be established. More research in this field is warranted including both groups of symptomatic subjects and symptom-free persons, with and without a positive family history.

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Conflict of interest statement

M. Bauer: Grant/Research support from The Stanley Medical Research Institute, NARSAD, Eli Lilly and AstraZeneca; consultant for AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Servier Deutschland and Wyeth; paid speaking engagements from AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, BMS and Otsuka and Wyeth. G. Juckel: Consultant for Janssen-Cilag, AstraZeneca, and Lilly; expert witness for AstraZeneca, BMS, Lilly and Janssen; research funding from AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Lilly, and Janssen; paid speaking engagements from AstraZeneca, Lilly, Janssen, Pfizer, Novartis, Wyeth and GSK. C.U. Correll: Consultant and advisor for BMS, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Organon, Otsuka, Pfizer, Supernus, Solvay, Vanda and Wyeth; Speaker’s Bureau for AstraZeneca, BMS and Otsuka. K. Leopold: Paid speaking engagements from Janssen-Cilag, AstraZeneca, Wyeth und Pfizer. A. Pfennig: no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany

    Michael Bauer, Karolina Leopold & Andrea Pfennig

  2. Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ruhr University Bochum, LWL-University Hospital, Bochum, Germany

    Georg Juckel

  3. Psychiatry Research, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York, USA

    Christoph U. Correll

Authors
  1. Michael Bauer
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  2. Georg Juckel
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  3. Christoph U. Correll
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  4. Karolina Leopold
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  5. Andrea Pfennig
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Correspondence to Michael Bauer.

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Bauer, M., Juckel, G., Correll, C.U. et al. Diagnosis and treatment in the early illness phase of bipolar disorders. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 258 (Suppl 5), 50–54 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-008-5009-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-008-5009-z

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