Jay Carter – Depressed, Borderline, or Bipolar? Accurate Diagnosis & Best Treatments

Outline

DEPRESSION: UNIPOLAR OR BIPOLAR? (& WHY IT MATTERS)

• Case study: Suicide and Bipolar Disorder
• 7 cardinal symptoms of hypomania
• Common and often overlooked: mixed depressive and manic states
• Beyond symptoms: markers of bipolar illness
• Family history
• Course of illness
• Response to antidepressants
• Executive functions

BIPOLAR DISORDER, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, & BORDERLINE PERSONALITY

• Is my patient an alcoholic?
• Detecting covert drug abuse
• Increase your patient’s motivation to address addiction
• DSM-5^® updates
• Bipolar or borderline?

PSYCHOTHERAPY

• Psychodynamics of euphoric and irritable hypomania
• Overcome lack of motivation and rumination
• 3 evidence-based psychotherapies for bipolar disorder
• Dialectical behavior therapy for bipolar illness
• Helping patients accept the diagnosis of bipolar illness and the need for meds

YOUR WORST FEAR: IDENTIFYING & MANAGING ACUTE SUICIDE RISK

• Predictors of suicide completion
• Risk management
• The only medication proven to dramatically reduce suicide (not an antidepressant!)

POTENT NON-DRUG TREATMENTS FOR MOOD DISORDERS

• Light
• Darkness
• Manipulation of sleep
• Blue blockers
• Fish fat and other natural compounds

MEDICATIONS

• Lamictal is a safe and effective treatment for acute bipolar depression
• Lithium and the other mood stabilizers don’t work in depression
• Depakote: its role in bipolar disorder and comorbid panic and anxiety
• Tegretol: why it’s an underutilized drug, especially for young women
• Lithium: why it’s still the best for many patients
• Depakote: its role in bipolar illness and comorbid panic and anxiety
• Tegretol: why it’s a great, but underutilized drug for young women
• Natural treatments

NOT JUST FOR DOCTORS

• Suboptimal thyroid functioning