Treatment of Bipolar I Disorder: Currently Depressed

Trisha Suppes, MD, PhD

Dr. Suppes is Professor of Psychiatry, Director, Bipolar Disorder Research Program, UTSouthwestern Medical Center

To qualify as a Major Depressive Episode, the patient must display at least five of the following symptoms in the same two week period: persistent depressed mood, marked loss of interest or pleasure, significant weight loss or gain, insomnia/hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation or retardation, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, trouble concentrating, and recurrent suicidal thoughts. The symptoms must also cause significant distress or impairment, not meet criteria for a mixed episode, not be due to substance abuse, nor be better explained by bereavement.