Abstract
Practicing psychologists are likely to be confronted with the diagnostic and treatment challenges associated with bipolar disorder, particularly the various classes of medication currently used in pharmacotherapy for the disorder. Although lithium remains a valuable resource, limitations associated with its use have prompted clinicians and researchers to explore the application of several different classes of agents, including anticonvulsants, calcium channel blockers, atypical antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and antidepressants, to the acute and long-term management of bipolar disorder. A review of these agents, as well as a summary of various psychotherapeutic modalities that can serve as adjunctive interventions to pharmacotherapy, is provided for psychologists.
