Year: 2007 Source: Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, v.68, no.7, (July 2007), p.1129-1138 SIEC No: 20090659

This article discusses the management of urgent situations in patients with bipolar disorder. Patients with bipolar disorder have a significant risk for suicide & can suffer severe impairment of functioning in social, vocational, & cognitive domains. Suicidality can be present in any phase of bipolar disorder. Clinicians are advised to assess routinely suicide &/or homicide ideation & as well as the availability & lethality of means. Both pharmacologic & nonpharmacologic interventions are recommended when suicidality is present. (81 refs.)