Antidepressant and Psychostimulant Use in Bipolar Disorder Not intended as medical advice. Please check with your doctor if you have any concerns,  and do not alter your child's medication on your own. Antidepressant use for bipolar disorder has been linked to increased incidences of mania, cycling, aggressive behavior and exacerbated depression. Please refer to the links below to learn more about the controversial use of antidepressants in treating bipolar disorder. A Cautionary Note from the National Institute of Mental HealthSwitching, Cycling and Antidepressant-Induced Effects on Cycle Frequency and Course of Illness in Adult Bipolar Disorder: A Brief Review and Commentary by Demitri Papolos, M.D.Antidepressants in Bipolar Disorder: The Controversy by Jim Phelps, M.D.Articles by Nassir Ghaemi, M.D. Is Bipolar Disorder Misdiagnosed?Antidepressants in Bipolar Disorder: Are They Safe? Are They Effective?The Bipolar Spectrum: A Valid Forme Fruste?Mixed States: Broad or Narrow? Rapid Cycling "Treated" with Gradual Antidepressant Reduction - a case history by Gary Sachs, M.D. presented by Jim Phelps, M.D.Antidepressants as a Treatment for Bipolar Disorder - Expert advice from Ron Pies, M.D.Bipolar Depression by John McManamyBeyond Antidepressants: Bipolar Spectrum Illness Presenting As Complicated or Refractory Mood Disorders in Primary Care - a Medscape article which requires free registration to viewAntidepressant Induced Mania in Bipolar Patients: Identification of Risk FactorsA Systematic Chart Review of the Nature of Psychiatric Adverse Events in Children and Adolescents with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors by Tim Wilens, M.D., Joseph Biederman, M.D., Thomas Spencer, M.D, et. al.

Psychostimulant use in bipolar disorder for comorbid ADHD has also been linked to increased incidences of mania, cycling and aggressive or psychotic behavior. Please refer to the links below to learn more about the controversial use of psychostimulants in treating ADHD that is comorbid with bipolar disorder.   Prior Stimulant Treatment in Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder: Association with Age at Onset by Melissa DelBello, M.D., et. al. Drug-Induced "Switch" to Mania and Related Medication Effects in Children Psychotic Side Effects of Psychostimulants: A Five-Year Review Response to Methylphenidate in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Manic Symptoms in the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Titration Trial by Gabrielle Carlson, M.D., et. al Clinical Implications of Antidepressant and Stimulant Use on Switching from Depression to Mania in Children by Barbara Geller, M.D., et. al.