The Broad Relationship Between Bipolar Disorder and Disorders of Psychological Trauma–Time-Limited to Life-Long Need for Mood Stabilizers

SUMMARY This article explores the relationship between bipolar disorder and disorders of psychological trauma. While bipolar disorder is generally thought of as a life-long illness, naturalistic studies report that some patients have a self-limited course. Three patients are presented who met diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder, responded well to mood stabilizing medication, and were subsequently able to successfully discontinue their mood stabilizing medication once their trauma disorder was treated and significantly improved. Other patients are presented who experienced a more persistent course of bipolar disorder. There is a literature review discussing the relationship between bipolar disorders and disorders of psychological trauma with a focus on the patients presented. Recommendations are made for clinical practice and future research.