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The pharmacotherapeutic management of rapid cycling affective disorder: an update

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Fabrizio Schifano
Fabrizio Schifano*
Affiliation:
Visiting Research Worker at the Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Psychopharmacology, University of London (UK); and Senior Registrar in Psychiatry, Head of the Alcohol and Drug Addicts Advice Unit, Local Health Unit n.12, Conegliano, Treviso (Italy)
*
Servizio P.C.R. Tossicodipendenze e Alcologia, Viale Spellanzon, 55, 31015 Conegliano (TV), Italy
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Abstract

In the present work the author presents a literature update regarding the pharmacotherapeutic management of rapid cycling affective disorder. This phenomenon is characterized, according to Dunner and Fieve (1974), by the presence of at least four affective episodes per year. After a consideration of the clinical features of the disorder, which are in many respects similar to those of the ‘classic’ bipolar disorder, the author describes the different therapeutic strategies available to the psychiatrist. Withdrawal of antidepressant therapy and administration of lithium salts are likely to constitute the best initial approach. In case of treatment non-responsiveness, it is possible to consider the use of different drugs; for example, carbamazepine, sodium valproate, clorgyline, thyroid hormone. To date, the therapeutic management of rapid cyclers remains extremely difficult. Further studies, especially addressed to the aetiopathogenetic aspects of the disorder, are required.

Keywords

rapid cycling affective disorderpharmacotherapeutic managementrapid cyclers
Type
Review Articles
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 7 , Issue 1 , March 1990 , pp. 71 - 78
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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