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Article Abstract

The emergence of new treatments for bipolar disorder has coincided with a proliferation of publishedtreatment algorithm recommendations and practice guidelines. Several guidelines derive fromcritical appraisals of current treatment literature and, as such, may serve as a critical reference resourceto complement individual clinical judgment. This review describes points of overlap and discordanceacross currently available treatment guidelines for bipolar disorder and presents commonclinical situations in which the consultation of treatment guidelines may provide clinicians with usefulinformation and a rationale for making sequential treatment decisions.