Managing bipolar disorders with the goal of achieving remission

Bipolar disorder (BD), a chronic mental illness of mood disturbances, can affect persons of any age. Because BD is a disease with frequent relapses and incomplete remissions, it is challenging to manage. Over the last several years, a number of new psychopharmacologic and therapeutic tools have been developed to help attain the goal of sustained, full remission for patients. Here we review the current data on the course of BD across the life cycle and make management recommendations for achieving and maintaining complete remission without residual symptoms of BD, when possible.