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Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders pp 791–801Cite as

PTSD and Bipolar Disorder: Approaches to Pharmacology, Psychotherapy, and Psychoeducation

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Abstract

The treatment of individuals with comorbid PTSD and bipolar disorder involves distinct challenges that should be approached in a stepwise fashion. Treatment is best accomplished in a collaborative manner that takes into account an individual’s goals and values. This begins with comprehensive diagnostic assessment based on a thorough longitudinal history in addition to noting current presentation. Treatment planning must take into account risk factors such as mood switching with SSRIs and also must consider disorders that are frequently comorbid in individuals with bipolar disorder (e.g., substance abuse, metabolic disorder).

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Abbreviations

CAPs:

Clinician administered PTSD scale

CBT:

Cognitive behavioral therapy

CPT:

Cognitive processing therapy

DM2:

Diabetes mellitus type 2

ECA:

Epidemiological catchment area

FDA:

Food and Drug Administration

NCS:

National Comorbidity Study

PE:

Prolonged exposure

PTSD:

Post-traumatic stress disorder

SGA:

Second-generation antipsychotic

SSRI:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

STEP-BD:

Systematic treatment enhancement program for bipolar disorder

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mental Health Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 S. Huntington Avenue 116A, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130, USA

    Laura Bajor

  2. Psychiatry Department, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Laura Bajor

  3. Mental Health Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 S. Huntington Avenue 116A7, 940 Belmont Street, Brockton, MA, 02301, USA

    Jeffrey Lucero, Jenny Melguizo, Edwin Raffi & Dana Wang

Authors
  1. Laura Bajor
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  2. Jeffrey Lucero
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  3. Jenny Melguizo
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  4. Edwin Raffi
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  5. Dana Wang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laura Bajor .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Society and Health, Buckinghamshire New University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, United Kingdom

    Colin R. Martin

  2. FactyofLifeSci&Med,Diabts&NutrnSciRshDiv, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  3. DepartofBiomedicalSci,SchoolofLifeScienc, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

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Bajor, L., Lucero, J., Melguizo, J., Raffi, E., Wang, D. (2016). PTSD and Bipolar Disorder: Approaches to Pharmacology, Psychotherapy, and Psychoeducation. In: Martin, C., Preedy, V., Patel, V. (eds) Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08359-9_128

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