Bipolar
What is the term used to describe periods of time in which a person feels "high" or elated?
Mania, or "manic episode"
What is the name of the medication class that helps to reduce mood swings?
Mood stabilizers (e.g., Lithium, Valproate, Carbamazepine)
This subtype of bipolar disorder consists of 4 or more episodes a year and requires specific treatment. 20% of those living with bipolar disorder experience this subtype.
Rapid cycling
Which Form is initiated and signed by the attending psychiatrist and lasts 2 weeks (including the date signed)?. It is referred to as a "Certificate of Involuntary Admission"
Form 3
This class of bipolar adjunct medication may be used during a depressive episode, however, must be used with caution as they can also cause a switch into mania, precipitating a cycle of rapid cycling.
Antidepressant medications
This type of bipolar (hint: there are 2 types) describes those who experience full manic, depressed, and well phases during their illness.
Bipolar I
This mood-stabilizing medication is found in nature.
Lithium
This type of episode describes a mixture of both manic and depressive symptoms at the same time.
E.g., thinking and speaking rapidly while simultaneously feeling extremely anxious with suicidal ideations
Mixed episode
This type of disorganized thought process involves an individual diverging from previous course of conversation. These conversations are often erratic and hard to follow. They are said to "go off on tangents".
Tangential
Signs that there is too much of this particular medication in the body include: severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, shaking and twitching, loss of balance, slurred speech, double vision and weakness.
As a rule, it is important to encourage drinking 8 to 12 cups of fluid per day, especially during exercise or hot temperatures as blood levels can increase to dangerous levels when a person becomes severely dehydrated.
Lithium
With regards to Bipolar Disorder, what is the term used to describe periods of time in which a person feels "low" or down?
Depression, or "depressive episode"
When testing medication levels in the blood for Lithium, Carbamazepine, and/or Valproate, how much time must lapse between the last given dose and the time when blood is to be drawn?
Approximately 12 hours (12-hour serum trough level)
This particular medication can cause a rare but serious side-effect whereby blood cell counts are significantly reduced. Soreness of the mouth and gums, mouth ulcers and sores, and fever or flu-like symptoms are signs of this.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
This particular type of thought process occurs when someone talks quickly, erratically, and jumps rapidly between ideas and thoughts.
Flight of ideas
What is the therapeutic range for serum Divalproex?
50 - 125 mcg/mL
Those experiencing this type of bipolar disorder (hint: there are 2 types) experience a mild form of mania (sometimes called hypomania), depression, and well phases. These individuals do not experience full manic phases.
Bipolar II
Grapefruit juice can raise the level of this drug in the body, so it is best avoided while taking this medication.
Carbamazepine
This medication is closely related to renal function, salt balance, and water balance:
Dehydration causes higher serum drug levels. Increased sodium intake causes lower serum levels.
Decreased sodium intake causes increase serum levels.
Lithium
Up to 25 per cent of people experiencing episodes of depression or mania may also have problems with movement. These symptoms may include extreme physical agitation, slowness, and odd movements or postures and are referred to as: __________.
Catatonic symptoms
What is the therapeutic range for serum Carbamazepine?
4 - 12 mcg/mL
This symptom of Bipolar describes exaggerated sense of self. These individuals feel invincible, all-knowing, and/or all-powerful. They may feel that they have a special mission or that God has given them special powers.
Feelings of grandeur; grandiosity
These 3 medications are dosed based on how much of the drug is in your blood. Blood samples are taken regularly during the course of these medications so as to ensure the dose is neither too high nor too low. A dose that is too high can may you physically sick, while a dose that is too low will be completely ineffective.
Lithium, Carbamazepine (Tegretol), and Divalproex (Valproate)
What is the therapeutic range for serum Lithium?
0.6 - 1.2 mmol/L
0.5 - 1.3 mmol/L (BGH)
This Form is an application by a physician for a person to undergo a psychiatric assessment to determine whether that individual needs to be admitted for further care in a schedule 1 facility or if they should be discharged. These Forms are usually initiated in the ED or by a family doctor in the community. These Forms last 72 hours from the time the person is detained at the schedule 1 facility. It is formally called the "Application by Physician for Psychiatric Assessment"
Form 1
This Form accompanies a Form 1 and is given to a patient upon admission to a schedule 1 facility. It is is their legal notice that they are being involuntarily held for psychiatric assessment for up to 72 hours.
Form 42