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Unipolar or Bipolar Depression?

CE / CME

eCase: Identifying Bipolar Disorder in a Currently Depressed Patient

Physician Assistants/Physician Associates: 1.00 AAPA Category 1 CME credit

Social Workers: 1.00 ASWB ACE CE Credit

Pharmacists: 1.00 contact hour (0.1 CEUs)

Psychologists: 1.00 APA CE Credit

Nurses: 1.00 Nursing contact hour, including 1.00 hour of pharmacotherapy credit 

Physicians: Maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Released: December 30, 2022

Expiration: December 29, 2023

Denise Vanacore
Denise Vanacore,
CME/CE Information

Activity

Progress
1
Course Completed

Ann, a 47-year-old university professor, presents to the office with complaints of sadness, hopelessness, anhedonia, low energy, and lack of motivation. Her symptoms started 2 months ago during a separation and divorce from her husband but have worsened in the past few weeks. She states that she is unable to focus on her teaching, is very distracted, and does not feel engaged with her students. She also admits that she feels guilty about every decision she tries to make. Ann tells you that on weekends she rarely gets out of bed for more than 4 hours. She also notes that she has gained 20 lbs in the past 6 weeks and is eating every time she goes into the kitchen. She has racing thoughts and is unable to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. Despite this lack of sleep and low motivation, she does not feel tired during the day. When asked about previous similar episodes, Ann tells you that she had 2 previous episodes of depression: one in her 20s during college and the second at age 42 after the death of her daughter from a drug overdose. Her family history is positive for alcohol use disorder (father) and bipolar disorder (mother).

Which screening tools would be most appropriate for this initial visit?