Balancing Act: Navigating Life with Bipolar Disorder throughout the Lifespan

Presenters will explore clinical presentations of bipolar disorder across the lifespan and the overlap in symptoms with associated disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, other mood disorders, and substance use disorders. Attendees will be equipped with a guide on assessing the patient’s risk of developing bipolar disorder and ways to interpret its relevance in clinical practice. Presenters will review the types of life events that increase vulnerability for destabilization, examine some of the challenges in treatment adherence for patients with bipolar disorder, as well as introduce strategies aimed at improving treatment compliance. Presenters will also review appropriate levels of care, research validated treatment options and how an outpatient provider may use them.

The target audience for this continuing education program is mental health providers and clinicians working with individuals with mental health diagnoses. Materials are appropriate for learners with an introductory level of understanding about mental health concerns. 

Educational Objectives

Following this presentation, participants will be able to -

• Describe the unique clinical presentations of bipolar disorder in the child and adolescent and adult populations and differentiate bipolar disorder from other comorbid conditions
• Explain the use of an objective risk of developing bipolar disorder calculator in daily practice and estimate the rate of switching from unipolar to bipolar depression in children and adolescents
• Identify challenges in treatment adherence and develop strategies to improve treatment compliance in patients diagnosed with bipolar disorders