Abstract
Gender differences in bipolar illness have been relatively neglected, but the course of the illness does appear to differ between men and women. Compared with bipolar men, bipolar women are clearly more likely to develop the rapid cycling form of the illness and may also suffer from more episodes of depression. Therefore, the literature concerning the treatment of rapid cycling bipolar disorder and of bipolar depression is reviewed. In addition, effects of bipolar illness on the female reproductive cycle are discussed. Since bipolar women are at high risk to develop postpartum episodes, the use of mood stabilizers in pregnancy is discussed.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / adverse effects
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Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / therapeutic use
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Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / adverse effects
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Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / therapeutic use
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Bipolar Disorder / chemically induced
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Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy*
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Bipolar Disorder / epidemiology
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Bipolar Disorder / psychology
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Bupropion / therapeutic use
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Depression, Postpartum / drug therapy
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Depression, Postpartum / epidemiology
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Depression, Postpartum / psychology
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / adverse effects
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Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
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Pregnancy
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Prevalence
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Reproduction
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / adverse effects
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
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Sex Factors
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Valproic Acid / therapeutic use
Substances
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Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
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Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
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Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
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Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
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Bupropion
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Valproic Acid