2024 15th Annual NUBE Conference

It is important to recognize the difference between schizophrenia and bipolar disorders both in diagnostic evaluation and treatment.  There are occasionally organic causes of manic episodes and it is important to recognize these causes as soon as possible.  Bipolar disorders have intermittent symptoms and treated more like a seizure disorder and with seizure medications.  These patients can be very creative and very high functioning, and similarly have very high rates of suicide.

This presentation will look at the causes of manic episodes, the recommended evaluation, the clinical considerations, the current treatment options, the prognosis, the importance of continuity of care of these patients, and what to communicate to the family to expect.

Learning Objectives:

Consider the causes that might mimic manic episodes and their management.

Recognize that manic episodes are similar to seizures both in evaluation and treatment.

Understand the high suicide risk of patients with bipolar disorder.