For adult patients with bipolar disorder, what courses of treatment are available? Concurrently, which treatments provide statistically better treatment results?

Briefly describe a specific question, or set of related questions, about a health care test or treatment that this program should consider.: For adult patients with bipolar disorder, what courses of treatment are available? Concurrently, which treatments provide statistically better treatment results?
Does your question include a comparison of different health care approaches? (If no, your topic will still be considered.): yes
If yes, explain the specific technologies, devices, drugs, or interventions you would like to see compared:: Anticonvulsants compared to antipsychotic drugs, lithium, antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
What patients or group(s) of patients does your question apply to? (Please include specific details such as age range, gender, coexisting diagnoses, and indications for therapy.): Adults with bipolar disorder regularly seeing a psychologist.
Are there subgroups of patients that your question might apply to? (For example, an ethnic group, stage or severity of a disease.)
Describe the health-related benefits you are interested in. (For example, improvements in patient symptoms or problems from treatment or diagnosis.): Improvement in symptoms of depression and mania.
Describe any health-related risks, side effects, or harms that you are concerned about.: Steven Johnson syndrome associated with antipsychotics, seratonin syndrome, other miscellaneous side effects.

Does your question include a health care drug, intervention, device, or technology available (or likely to be available) in the U.S.?

yes

Which priority area(s) and population(s) does this topic apply to? (check all that apply)

EHC Priority Conditions (updated in 2008)

AHRQ Priority Populations

Federal Health Care Program

Describe why this topic is important.: There is a lack of information available to patients through google searches and print resources comparing the effects and treatment successes or failures of certain drugs with regards to bipolar disorder.
What specifically motivated you to ask this question? (For example, you are developing a clinical guideline, working with a policy with large uncertainty about the appropriate approach, costly intervention, new research you have read, items in the media you may have seen, a clinical practice dilemma you know of, etc.): I am a patient with bipolar disorder and haven't found very many trustworthy resources discussing treatment options.
Does your question represent uncertainty for clinicians and/or policy-makers? (For example, variations in clinical care, controversy in what constitutes appropriate clinical care, or a policy decision.): yes
If yes, please explain:: Four classes of drugs are currently available for use in bipolar disorder.

How will an answer to your research question be used or help inform decisions for you or your group?: These answers will be used as a patient resource for myself, my psychologist and my psychiatrist.
Describe the timeframe in which an answer to your question is needed.: My psychiatrist appointment for prescription readjustment is on February 14, 2011.
Describe any health disparities, inequities, or impact on vulnerable populations your question applies to.

Other Information About You: (optional)

Please choose a description that best describes your role or perspective: (you may select more than one category if appropriate): These answers will be used as a patient resource for myself, my psychologist and my psychiatrist.

Are you making a suggestion as an individual or on behalf of an organization?: Individual

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