This study examined the inhibitory control of attention to social scenes in manic, depressive, and euthymic episodes of bipolar disorder (BD). Two scenes were simultaneously presented (happy/threatening/neutral [target] versus control). Participants were asked either to look at the emotional pictures (i.e., attend-to-emotional block) or to avoid looking at the emotional pictures (i.e., attend-t...

We present a case report of a woman hospitalized for a ventricular-peritoneal shunting replacement, who developed a manic episode with psychotic symptoms after hydrocephalus resolution. We have no knowledge of cases of manic episodes due to hydrocephalus resolution by ventricular-peritoneal shunt replacement, although previous case reports have suggested that hydrocephalus might induce rapid-on...

The complex relationship between the use of antidepressants and suicidal behaviour is one of the hottest topics of our contemporary psychiatry. Based on the literature, this paper summarizes the author's view on antidepressant-resistant depression and antidepressant-associated suicidal behaviour. Antidepressant-resistance, antidepressant-induced worsening of depression, antidepressant-associate...

Fractal dimension of the electroencephalographic (EEG) signal has been argued to reflect the complexity of the underlying brain processes. To this date, conventional studies of EEG in mood disorders have not been able to distinguish between patients and normal individuals. Here we show that, compared to normal subjects, EEG fractal dimension is significantly augmented in the manic episode of bi...

Fractal dimension of the electroencephalographic (EEG) signal has been argued to reflect the complexity of the underlying brain processes. To this date, conventional studies of EEG in mood disorders have not been able to distinguish between patients and normal individuals. Here we show that, compared to normal subjects, EEG fractal dimension is significantly augmented in the manic episode of bi...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the frequency of bipolar disorder, dopamine dysregulation syndrome and punding in Parkinson's disease patients from a Brazilian movement disorders clinic. METHOD One hundred patients underwent a comprehensive psychiatric examination composed of MINI-plus and specific questionnaires to investigate dopamine dysregulation syndrome and punding. RESULTS We identified, re...

Background and Objectives: Aggressiveness is a common component of manic symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics associated with aggressive behaviour in bipolar patients with acute manic episodes. Methods: A study was carried out with 173 patients who met the DSM-IV criteria for manic or mixed bipolar disorder. Clinical and demographic variables were evalua...

It has been over 60 years since Australian psychiatrist John Cade first described lithium’s therapeutic role in manic illness. Cade’s seminal 1949 article described the impact of lithium salts in resolving “psychotic excitement” in 10 manic patients. Since this discovery, lithium has become a gold standard treatment for bipolar disorder, with evidence supporting its role in acute mania, depress...

After ten years of successful maintenance treatment with lithium and olanzapine, a 40-year-old woman with bipolar disorder expressed concerns about continuing the use of medicines, as she was planning a pregnancy. In the past, she had suffered from five severe manic episodes with hospital admissions. After consultations with the treating psychiatrist, gynaecologist, and family doctor, olanzapin...

OBJECTIVES Although cannabis use is common in bipolar disorder and may contribute to worse clinical outcomes, little is understood about the relationship between this drug and bipolar disorder over the course of daily life. The aim of study was to examine the effect of cannabis on affect and bipolar symptoms in a group of individuals with bipolar disorder. METHODS Twenty-four participants wit...