Why is Your Patient Still Unstable & Depressed?   

Patients with symptoms of both mood and personality disorders, or with histories of substance abuse, present unique diagnostic and treatment challenges. A recent study by the National Institutes of Mental Health found that nearly 40% of patients with symptoms of major depressive disorder actually had bipolar disorder. These patients are often mistakenly treated for years with antidepressants and non-specific or ineffective forms of psychotherapy or counseling. Antidepressant have been shown to be no more effective than mood stabilizing medications alone for preventing depression in bipolar patients, and can actually destabilize the course of their illness. This seminar provides clinicians with a 4-part, clinical diagnostic method to distinguish patients with personality disorders and unipolar depression from those with bipolar disorders.

Drawing on empirically tested research and psychodynamic studies, Dr. Quinn will discuss the many ways psychotherapists can help patients and families struggling with bipolar disorder. Seminar attendees will learn why antidepressants and atypical antipsychotics should not form the foundation of treatment for bipolar illness. We will also discuss potent, non-drug treatments for depression, mania, and rapid-cycling that can be put to immediate use.

What You Will Learn:

• List the seven cardinal symptoms of mania and hypomania
• Coordinate an assessment including symptoms, course of illness, temperament, family history, and medication reaction
• Identify and manage patients with covert alcohol and drug use
• Detail four predictors of suicide completion, how to prevent suicide, and how to protect yourself from legal liability
• Recognize key strategies from empirically-validated psychosocial treatments that you can use with your patients immediately
• Review research-proven medications for patients with bipolar illness, and potent non-drug treatments

Course Content

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

• 4 myths

• 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