NAVIGATING BIPOLAR DISORDERS: ADDRESSING CHALLENGES IN TREATMENT-RESISTANT DEPRESSION AND RAPID CYCLING

Abstract Bipolar disorders present complex and debilitating mental disorder, characterized by extreme mood swings ranging from manic to depressive episodes and mixed symptoms in between (Tondo et al 2017). Despite significant advancements in understanding and managing bipolar disorders, certain treatment aspects of the illness remain challenging to address (Baldessarini et al 2019a). This oral presentation focuses on two critical topics in the field: treatment-resistant depression, rapid cycling in individuals with bipolar disorders.The first section of this oral presentation aims to discuss treatment-resistant depression in bipolar disorders. Despite the availability of various treatment options, a subset of patients experiences persistent depressive symptoms that do not respond adequately to standard interventions (Baldessarini et al 2020). The presenter will discuss the importance of recognizing treatment-resistant depression early in the course of the illness to prevent long-term disability, exploring potential pharmacological options, and improve overall outcomes for affected individuals (Bahji et al 2021; Vazquez et al 2017, Vazquez et al 2023).The second session is dedicated to understanding and managing rapid cycling in bipolar disorders. Rapid cycling refers to the phenomenon of frequent and distinct shifts between manic and depressive states within a year (Miola et al 2023a). This condition poses unique challenges, as it can lead to increased disability and reduced response to traditional treatments. By reviewing the current knowledge on the topic the session aims to facilitate the identification, management and prevention strategies that can help stabilize mood fluctuations in rapid cycling patients (Miola et al 2023b).