Q:  References to Medications that May Help?

Dear Dr. Phelps,

Hello, I have been recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder.  I had a severe episode of mania, in which I was hospitalized.  I have been prescribed 600mg neurontin 2xday, 100 mg seroquel 3xday, and celexa 20mg 1x day.  I am still very manic, to the point that leaving the house is very difficult, and making decisions is impossible.  I can only do tasks one at a time, if anything distracts me (like the phone ringing etc) I become severely confused.  This has been going on for a month.  Could this be from the medication?  It seems that I am in the same state as when I entered the hospital a month ago.  Do you have any references to medications that may help me so I can talk to my doctor about?  

Please help, and thank you for your time
 

Dear Sandra -- 
For some basics for you and your doctor, I particularly like the "Expert Consensus Guidelines for the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder", which is a bit old now but still basically well accepted.  I like it because it's in plain English.  

Then for a very up to date version, though in medical lingo, there's the American Psychiatric Association's recent Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder.  To help guide you a little with that document, I offer this brief tour.   You and your doctors both need to read, consider, and discuss these guidelines.  

Dr. Phelps

Published January, 2003