Latent Bipolar Disorder

Latent bipolar disorder was first introduced to discuss cases where individuals with depression who have been unresponsive to antidepressant therapy were introduced to lithium as an adjunctive treatment to the antidepressants, and when lithium was discontinued, these individuals were at a greater risk of developing bipolar disorder. This concept was later integrated into stating models proposed for bipolar disorder, to describe the subset of individuals who present mood and anxiety symptoms and increased risk for developing threshold bipolar disorder. Latent bipolar disorder has been discussed as a clinical dilemma, given its complexity, and researchers have emphasized that operational criteria for the identification of latent bipolar disorder are a major unmet need in the field of mental health.

Thus, this book provides a detailed description of the current literature supporting the identification of latent bipolar disorder, which will potentially help with the establishment of an operational criteria for the identification of latent bipolar disorder. For instance, the importance of using antidepressants with caution in young individuals with depression has been discussed; however, there is no clear consensus on how to identify this specific population that initially presents with mood symptoms (e.g., unspecified mood symptoms, major depressive disorder), but is highly vulnerable to developing bipolar disorder.

The accurate identification of latent bipolar disorder has substantial implications for clinical practice. This is because it is well known that the treatments for major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder differ substantially, and the appropriate treatment results in a better prognosis. This work will provide evidence-based findings to help clinicians to identify latent bipolar disorder. Edited by leading researchers in the field, the book systematically covers the theoretical basis for the definition of latent bipolar disorder, data-driven findings supporting this definition, challenges, and future directions, as well as clinical implications and recommendations for practice.

Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, will find this work valuable.