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Bipolar disorder - Management
How should I manage someone with new or suspected bipolar disorder?
- Refer all people with new or suspected bipolar disorder for a specialist mental health assessment.
- Determine the urgency of any referral by assessing the risks to the individual and others.
- Refer for urgent assessment if:
- The person presents with mania, severe depression, or with a mixed episode, or
- They are a danger to themselves or other people.
- Consider whether the urgency of the situation requires the person to be admitted to hospital.
- While awaiting specialist assessment, alter or start treatment only on specialist advice.
In depth
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