Balancing Extremes | Practical Management of Bipolar Disorder

Course overview

This learning activity provides nurses with a comprehensive, evidence-based review of bipolar disorder, covering its clinical subtypes, episode phases, differential diagnosis, and neurobiological foundations. It examines first-line pharmacological treatments - including lithium, valproate, lamotrigine, and atypical antipsychotics - with emphasis on therapeutic monitoring, safety parameters, and patient education, while also addressing evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions and the nurse's role in supporting them. Grounded throughout in the nursing process, therapeutic communication, and person-centered care, the activity equips nurses across all clinical settings to recognize, assess, and support patients living with bipolar disorder with both clinical precision and compassionate presence.