Evidence-based treatment of mania

Bipolar mania can be one of the most challenging psychiatric illnesses to treat, as it requires the clinician to make rapid and accurate decisions; have a reliable way of evaluating progress and treatment response; and possess keen psychotherapeutic skills. Therefore, the importance of staying updated on the clinical evidence of the various treatment options, which serves as the basis to individualize treatment on the day-to-day progress or deterioration of the manic patient. This chapter presents a review available on the evidence of different psychopharmacological agents including typical antipsychotics, lithium, antiepileptic drugs and atypical antipsychotics, and FDA-approved dosages. This review also includes these agents’ effects on fertility and recommendations about their use during pregnancy and lactation. Bipolar disorder continues to be a complex psychiatric condition, yet the progress in treatment options for the manic phase has evolved such that we have more options than ever before.