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Bipolar disorder - Management
How should I manage a mixed episode in someone with known bipolar disorder?
- Refer urgently to secondary care.
- Admit urgently those people considered to be a danger to themselves or others.
Clarification / Additional information
- People in an acute mixed episode:
- Are normally treated as if they have an acute manic episode.
- Should avoid antidepressants.
- Require close monitoring (at least weekly), particularly for suicide risk.
- Consider referral, if appropriate, to a Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team to manage an episode at home and avoid admission.
Basis for recommendation
These recommendations are based on a published guideline from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Bipolar disorder: the management of bipolar disorder in adults, children and adolescents, primary care and secondary care [NICE, 2006].
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