Treatment of bipolar disorder II with aripiprazole: its action against depressive and anxious symptoms

A 43-year old man with bipolar disorder II since the age of 25, who did not respond to various combinations of antipsychotics, mood stabilisers and antidepressants and presented with blunt affect, psychomotor retardation and anxiety, after drug washout received 5 mg aripiprazole (in add-on to 750mg/day valproate), titrated to 15 mg/day within four months. Patient scored high on the Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Scales (HAMD and HAMA, respectively) and low (pathological) on the GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) and MRS (Mania Rating, normal) scales. Ten days later his symptoms started to improve, one month after his anxiety and depression were less severe and his functioning was improving, and after four months he had improved very much on all ratings. The patient eventually was able to find a job and his psychomotor and affective conditions were normal. He experienced no adverse effects during aripiprazole treatment.