Bipolar Depression | Bipolar Depression Treatment Algorithm and Emerging Therapy Assessment

Deepa Singh
3 min readNov 11, 2021

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Bipolar disorder (BD) is a mental disorder marked by mood fluctuations that alternate between sadness and mania. BD is divided into four types based on the characteristics of the episodes: BD-I, BD-II, cyclothymic disorder, and bipolar disorder not otherwise characterized (NOS). The patient may feel gloomy, indifferent, or hopeless during depressive episodes (bipolar depression), which are accompanied by a very low level of activity.

The duration of depressive episodes (bipolar depression) in BD, as well as the cumulative time spent in this phase by BD patients (during their lifetime), is substantially longer than mania and hypomania.

Bipolar Depression Causes

The four subtypes of bipolar disorder include BD-I, BD-II, cyclothymic disorder, and bipolar disorder not otherwise described (NOS). The classification is based on mood swing features. Depression is more common in BD-I and BD-II personalities.

Bipolar disorder is thought to be caused by a variety of variables, including genetic or hereditary changes, changes in brain structure and function, environmental triggers, psychological, and social situations.

Bipolar Depression Signs & Symptoms

The Bipolar disorder signs and symptoms can vary. Patients may experience manic episodes, depressed periods, or a combination of both. Mixed episodes exhibit features of both manic and depressive episodes, and they can linger for a week or even longer. The duration and frequency of these episodes may diminish if they are not addressed. In manic periods, a person may feel joyful, irritable, and have a high level of activity, whereas in depressive episodes, a person may feel sad, indifferent, or hopeless, and have a low level of activity. Patients may experience hypomanic episodes, which are a milder version of mania.

The symptoms of bipolar depression include:

● Feeling sad or anxious

● trouble concentrating or making decisions

● difficulty falling asleep

● waking up too early, or sleeping too much

● lack of interest

● unable to do even simple things

● talking slowly

● feeling like he or she has nothing to say, or forgetting a lot.

Bipolar Depression Diagnosis

Bipolar depression diagnosis is difficult, and it is frequently misdiagnosed as unipolar depression. A physical examination, mental assessment, mood tracking, and the use of DSM-V criteria for bipolar episodes in Bipolar depression are usually required for diagnosis.

Major depression, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, schizophrenia, and the repercussions of trauma/brain injury are among the differential diagnosis.

Bipolar Depression Treatment

The ultimate goal of Bipolar Depression treatment is to obtain a high level of psychosocial function as well as a high quality of life related to health. The Bipolar Depression treatment is divided into two phases: acute and maintenance. Acute-phase treatment focuses on managing acute mood episodes (manic, hypomanic, or depressive), whereas maintenance-phase treatment focuses on preventing acute episodes from recurring.

ECT, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, deep brain stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, lifestyle modifications, and psychotherapies are all non-pharmacological treatments for bipolar depression. Treatment-resistant depression is routinely treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Psychotherapy, such as psychoeducation, cognitive behavioral therapy, family-focused therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy, and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, is largely used as an additional treatment for bipolar depression.

Bipolar Depression Market

● For the study period of 2017–2030, a CAGR of 11.9 percent is expected in the Bipolar Depression market size.

● During the forecast period (2021–2030), the bipolar depression market is expected to grow significantly due to new insights into the disease, improvements in treatment over time, future directions in blood biomarkers, increased awareness and technology and advances towards precision medicine for BD.

Bipolar Depression Emerging Therapy Assessment

Because of new insights into disease, future trends in blood biomarkers, and increased awareness and technology, the dynamics of the Bipolar Depression market are expected to evolve in the next few years. Drugs for Bipolar Depression are being developed by companies such as Intra-Cellular Therapies, Sunovion (Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma), NeuroRx, Lundbeck/Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Celon Pharma, COMPASS Pathways, and others.

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