| Literature DB >> 32595530 |
Claire O'Donovan1, Martin Alda1.
Abstract
This paper focuses on depression that precedes an onset of manifest bipolar disorder as early stage bipolar disorder. First, we review how to pragmatically identify the clinical characteristics of patients presenting with an episode of depression who subsequently go on to develop episodes of mania or hypomania. The existing literature shows a strong consensus: accurate identification of depression with early onset and recurrent course with multiple episodes, subthreshold hypomanic and/or mixed symptoms, and family history of bipolar disorder or completed suicide have been shown by multiple authors as signs pointing to bipolar diagnosis. This contrasts with relatively limited information available to guide management of such "pre-bipolar" (pre-declared bipolar) patients, especially those in the adult age range. Default assumption of unipolar depression at this stage carries significant risk. Antidepressants are still the most common pharmacological treatment used, but clinicians need to be aware of their potential harm. In some patients with unrecognized bipolar depression, antidepressants can not only produce switch to (hypo)mania, but also mixed symptoms, or worsening of depression with an increased risk of suicide. We review pragmatic management strategies in the literature beyond clinical guidelines that can be considered for this at-risk group encompassing the more recent child and adolescent literature. In the future, genetic research could make the early identification of bipolar depression easier by generating informative markers and polygenic risk scores.Entities:
Keywords: adverse response to antidepressants; bipolar disorder; early onset; family history (FH); mixed depression; mood stabilizers; polarity at onset; staging
Year: 2020 PMID: 32595530 PMCID: PMC7300293 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00500
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Front Psychiatry ISSN: 1664-0640 Impact factor: 4.157
Potential predictors of bipolar course in comparison to unipolar course [see also (17–22)].
| Symptoms | Course | Family History |
|---|---|---|
| Presence of mixed symptoms* | Early age of onset | Bipolar Disorder |
| Atypical depression* | Abrupt onset/offset | Suicide |
| Lability of mood | Frequent episodes | Severe mental illness |
| Psychomotor retardation* | Shorter episodes | |
| Pathological guilt | Post-partum episode | |
| Psychotic symptoms | Recurrent episodic | |
| Hyperthymic/cyclothymic temperament | Treatment resistance | |
| Abrupt onset response to antidepressant/increase dose |
*These factors are present in some modified form in DSM V; the others require a broader understanding of the psychiatric literature.
Factors to consider in assessing family history of hypo/mania from an informant.
| Is the person described a biological relative? |
| Has the person described adequate DSM criteria for hypo/mania? |
| Has the person described got persistent psychosis? |
| Is the behavioral manifestation apparent to family consistent with a probable diagnosis of hypo/mania |
| Has the person described been hospitalized? |
| Has the person received/responded to ECT? |
| Has the person described been prescribed lithium or divalproex or carbamazepine or lamotrigine? |
| Has the person described been prescribed higher dose atypical antipsychotics consistent with treatment of bipolar disorder? |
| Has the person described been prescribed antidepressant monotherapy long term and done well? |
| Has the person had serious impairment of function at some stage of their illness? |
| Has the person described ended their life by suicide or made a serious suicide attempt? |
Assessment and monitoring of major depression with family history of bipolar disorder or suicide.
| Careful assessment and follow up of family history |
| Baseline and follow up monitoring of both manic and depressive symptoms |
| Weekly monitoring for 4 weeks |
| Bi-weekly monitoring up to 12 weeks |
| Use of collateral history |
| Specific attention to suicidality including impulsive suicidality |
| Specific attention to psychic or motor agitation |
| Specific attention to the irritability-hostility-aggression continuum |
| Follow course long term for alteration in course of illness |
| Referral to psychiatric services, specialty mood disorders clinics where available |
Treatment considerations for major depression with family history of bipolar disorder or suicide.
| Consideration of supportive therapy, CBT, IPT, and FFT in milder, shorter depression |
| Antidepressants may cause harm in this group |
| Cautious low dose—go slow strategy for antidepressants if used. |
| Consider lithium especially in those with family history response to lithium/family history suicide |
| Consider avoiding SNRIs and TCAs |
| Consider tapering antidepressant if mixed symptoms evolve |
| Consider adding mood stabilizer |
| Consider neuromodulation (ECT and with consequent personalized treatment rTMS) in moderate to severe especially mixed depression |
| Consider lamotrigine or quetiapine as they are used in both unipolar and bipolar depression |
| Consider ziprasidone or lurasidone augmentation if mixed symptoms |
CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy; IPT, Interpersonal Therapy; FFT, Family Focused Therapy; SNRIs, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors; TCAs, tricyclic antidepressants; ECT, electroconvulsive therapy; rTMS, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.