Maintenance treatment of bipolar affective disorder

Abstract:

Relapse and new episode prevention as well as maximazing the patient’s quality of life is the focus of the maintenance (continuation and prophylactic) phase of bipolar disorder treatment. Many experts suggest maintenance treatment for all patients who have suffered even a single acute manic episode, while others recommend long-term maintenance treatment for patients with more than two prior episodes, for patients who experience a breakthrough episode during the first year of treatment following an acute episode; and for chronically ill and long cycle-length patients who do not achieve a remission of acute symptoms sufficient to meet criteria for recovered. The treatment plan for the maintenance treatment phase should take into account the many factors implicated in triggering recurrences. The most important treatment guidelines and algorithms recognize both the essential role of «mood stabilizing A and B» medications and the importance of psychosocial interventions including different forms of psychotherapies, psychoeducation of the patients and their families, and self-groups. 

Key words:
bipolar disorder, maintenance treatment, continuation treatment phase, prophylactic treatment, mood stabilizers A and B