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For educational use only. Content is AI-generated, may contain errors, and is not medical advice — always verify against current primary sources and faculty guidance before clinical use.

HomePsychiatry/BehavioralBipolar I Disorder
💭

Bipolar I Disorder

Psychiatry/Behavioral · ~7% of blueprint
🔬Pathophysiology
Recurrent mood episodes with a strong heritable component and neurotransmitter dysregulation.
🩺Signs & Symptoms
≥1 manic episode — DIG FAST (distractibility, impulsivity, grandiosity, flight of ideas, ↑ activity, ↓ sleep, talkativeness); ± depression.
🎯Gold Standard Diagnosis
Clinical (DSM-5): >=1 manic episode — elevated/irritable mood + increased activity/energy >=1 wk (or hospitalization).
💊First-line Treatment
Mood stabilizers (lithium, valproate) or atypical antipsychotics; avoid antidepressant monotherapy.
Drug cardsLithiumValproic AcidRisperidoneQuetiapine
High-Yield Pearl

A single manic episode defines Bipolar I; antidepressant monotherapy can trigger mania — avoid it.

Sources

Reviewed September 2026
  1. CANMAT and ISBD 2018 guidelines for the management of patients with bipolar disorder — CANMAT / ISBD, 2018
  2. StatPearls: Bipolar Disorder (NBK558998) — StatPearls Publishing / NCBI Bookshelf, 2026

Checked against the guideline or standard reference the exam keys to. If it has moved, use Report an error below.

More Psychiatry/Behavioral conditions

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Major Depressive Disorder
All Psychiatry/Behavioral