Table 2 Criteria for concordance with the Dutch guideline for diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder[16]
Treatment modalities | Criteria for concordance with the Dutch guideline |
|---|---|
Group psycho-educationa | All patients |
Emergency plan on how to deal with emerging mood symptoms | All instable patients. (A mood episode in the previous 12 month, currently symptomatic, more than four visits a year) |
Maintenance pharmacotherapy | Patients with three or more episodes lifetime or a history with one or two severe episodes and/or a positive family history of bipolar disorder |
Use of prospective lifechart | Rapid cycling, a mood episode in the previous 12 months or currently symptomatic despite maintenance pharmacotherapy |
Specific psychotherapy for bipolar disorder and/or supportive treatment | Instability despite medication and participation in a group psychoeducation program |