A 30-year-old woman with a history of bipolar I disorder presents with low mood and reduced energy for 2 weeks. She is stable on no maintenance therap...

Question

A 30-year-old woman with a history of bipolar I disorder presents with low mood and reduced energy for 2 weeks. She is stable on no maintenance therapy and is requesting an antidepressant. There is no acute suicidality or psychosis. What is the most appropriate management strategy?

Accepted Answer

Start a mood stabiliser such as lithium or an atypical antipsychotic, and consider adding an antidepressant only with close monitoring

Answer

Start an SSRI antidepressant as monotherapy

Answer

Provide benzodiazepines alone

Answer

Do nothing because symptoms are mild

Answer

Start high-dose tricyclic antidepressant monotherapy

au-racp MCQ (SBA): Bipolar disorder management

A 30-year-old woman with a history of bipolar I disorder presents with low mood and reduced energy for 2 weeks. She is stable on no maintenance therapy and is requesting an antidepressant. There is no acute suicidality or psychosis. What is the most appropriate management strategy?