Natural Course of Bipolar Disorder and Implications for Treatment

  • Michael Bauer
  • Michael Gitlin
Chapter
First Online:

Abstract

Understanding the natural history of any disorder, in this case bipolar disorder, is not just an academic exercise. Knowing the natural history is critical in order to create a treatment plan for patients that will minimize the amount of time spent ill and, as importantly, enhance both patients’ ability to function and to boost quality of life. Therefore, before exploring the proper role of lithium in bipolar and other mood disorders, it is imperative to review the natural course of bipolar disorder and consider the different course trajectories in the construction of an individualized treatment plan. Natural history data derived from much older studies differ substantially from more recent studies. Although this may be due to a true evolution of the disorder, it may also reflect differences in definition and patient selection. For instance, the distinction of unipolar vs. bipolar disorder is relatively recent. Data from more than 50 years ago typically commingled these two diagnostic groups inevitably leading to differences in recurrence rates, age of onset, and so forth. This and other differences in definitions of psychopathology (described more fully below) certainly contribute to what seems to be a change in the natural history of bipolar disorder.

Keywords

Bipolar Disorder Mood Disorder Sleep Deprivation Suicide Rate Bipolar Patient 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  • Michael Bauer
    • 1
  • Michael Gitlin
    • 2
  1. 1.Technische Universtät DresdenUniversity Hospital Carl Gustav CarusDresdenGermany
  2. 2.Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesUSA

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