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Anticonvulsants as mood stabilisers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

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Recent research has highlighted the fact that a significant number of patients with bipolar affective disorder have a poor outcome (Cole et al, 1993). The most common poor outcome is the development of rapid or ultra-rapid cycling, but mixed states, prolonged depression and severe mania are also associated with poor outcome. It is estimated that approximately one-third of patients with bipolar affective disorder do not respond fully to lithium and a significant number of patients discontinue lithium (Post, 1990) which may itself cause further problems.

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Research Article
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Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 1999 

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