Treatment of Bipolar Disorder & Schizophrenia

• For many patients, both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia can be effectively treated once they are diagnosed

• Advancements in the treatment of these illnesses mean that many patients are able to manage their symptoms in conjunction with their health care providers

Antipsychotic Drug Development

The first round of antipsychotic medications was developed in the 1950s. These drugs sometimes produced severe and undesirable side effects called extrapyramidal side effects ("EPS"). Because of these side effects, including involuntary body movements such as tremors, stiffness, tics, and writhing, researchers continued to search for different drug alternatives.

In the 1990s, several new drugs for schizophrenia called "atypical antipsychotics" were designed to provide the efficacy of the typical antipsychotics, but with fewer EPS side effects. AstraZeneca discovered SEROQUEL, an atypical antipsychotic, in their Wilmington, Delaware, research facility and launched it in 1997.

Bipolar Disorder

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone experiences, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide.

General symptoms of bipolar disorder include: extreme mood swings, along with other specific symptoms and behaviors. These mood swings, or "episodes," include manic (highs) and depressive (lows).

• Common symptoms of a manic episode include: feeling extremely happy, being very irritable, restless, talking too fast and too much, and having more energy and needing less sleep than usual.

• Common symptoms of a depressive episode include: feelings of sadness or emptiness, increased tearfulness, a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, loss of energy, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, changes in sleep or appetite and thoughts of death or suicide.

An episode of depression or mania can last for days, weeks, months, or sometimes even years. A person with untreated bipolar disorder may have more than 10 total episodes of depression and mania during his or her lifetime.

Considered one of the most severe forms of mental illness, bipolar disorder currently affects millions of American adults.

Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

"Mood-stabilizing" medications generally are required to treat bipolar disorder, alone or in combination with other medications to help manage the condition.

It is important that physicians have a variety of treatment options available for their patients with bipolar disorder, taking into account each patient's unique circumstances, medical history and the need to add medications or offer combinations of medications in order to achieve adequate symptom control. Many patients find that certain atypical antipsychotic medicines, such as SEROQUEL, help to relieve their symptoms. Other medicines used in treating bipolar disorder include anti-seizure medicines (anticonvulsants), and anti-anxiety medicines.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has published its own set of treatment guidelines for adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The first-line drug treatment for patients with severe mania associated with bipolar disorder is the initiation of lithium plus an antipsychotic or valproate plus an antipsychotic. For less ill patients, monotherapy with lithium, valproate, or an antipsychotic may be sufficient. The first-line drug treatment for bipolar depression is the initiation of either lithium or lamotrigine.

Schizophrenia

What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a serious brain disorder with symptoms that include distorted perceptions of reality, hallucinations and delusions, illogical thinking, and flat or blunted emotions.  This illness affects more than 2 million American adults—about 1% of the population age 18 and older. People with schizophrenia sometimes hear voices others don't hear, believe that others are broadcasting their thoughts to the world, or become convinced that others are plotting to harm them. These experiences can make them fearful and withdrawn and cause difficulties when they try to have relationships with others.

Symptoms of schizophrenia usually develop in men in their late teens or early twenties and women in their twenties and thirties. The symptoms of schizophrenia include:

• Having lost touch with reality (psychosis),

• Seeing things that are not there or hearing voices (hallucinations),

• Believing things that are not true (delusions) and

• Being suspicious (paranoia).

Treatment of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia can be a treatable disorder. Unfortunately, more than 50% of persons with schizophrenia are not receiving appropriate care. Approximately 70% of patients with schizophrenia improve when treated with antipsychotic drugs. Schizophrenia is a chronic disorder that needs constant management.

Relapses occur most often when people with schizophrenia stop taking their antipsychotic medication because they feel better, do not believe they are ill, or do not think taking it regularly is important. In general, the rate of recurrence of psychotic episodes for those suffering from schizophrenia can be decreased by staying on medication.

Further, research shows that people with schizophrenia who attend structured psychosocial rehabilitation programs and continue with their medical treatment manage their illness best.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has published its own set of treatment guidelines for adults diagnosed with schizophrenia. According to the APA guidelines, second-generation antipsychotics should be considered as first-line medications for patients in the acute phase of schizophrenia.