About The Course
Join Professor Michael Berk as he explores the 2023 CANMAT Guidelines for the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder in this interactive online video course. Key areas include the acute management of bipolar mania and bipolar depression, maintenance therapy, and treatment of Bipolar II Disorder. Delivered through engaging video lectures, this evidence-based course provides valuable insights into modern treatment approaches, enhancing clinical decision-making for mental health professionals.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is suitable for:
- Psychiatrists
- General Practitioners (GPs)
- Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (MHNPs)
- Psychologists
- Mental health professionals
- Clinicians working in or expanding into psychiatry and mental health care
Accreditation Information:
- Psychiatry Accreditation: This course is available for self-accreditation with the RANZCP and other relevant psychiatric and mental health organisations.
- GP Accreditation: This course is available for self-accreditation with RACGP for general practitioners.
What You'll Learn
- The Acute Management of Bipolar Mania
- The Acute Management of Bipolar Depression
- Maintenance Therapy for Bipolar Disorder
- Treating Bipolar II Disorder
Course Programme
6 Modules | 25 Units | 3 hours total length
- How Does Clinical Practice Differ from the Clinical Guidance?
- What is new in the 2018 CANMAT and ISBD guidelines?
- How is evidence ranked in terms of safety, efficacy & tolerability?
- Activity
- DSM-5 Changes for the Management of Mania
- Manifestations of Agitation in Bipolar Disorder
- General Principles of Management of Acute Mania
- Clinical Features & Recommendations to Help Determine Treatment Choice
- Presentations of Bipolar Depression
- Reviewing General Principles and Assessing Medication Status
- Stepwise Approach to Treatments for Acute Bipolar Depression
- The Importance of Maintenance Therapy
- The Course of Bipolar Disorder
- First and Second-Line Treatments in the Maintenance Phase
- Evidence for Combined Atypicals + Lithium & New Recommendations
- Add-on or Switch Therapy (Alternative 1st-line & 2nd-line Agents)
- Add-on or Switch Therapy (3rd-Line Agents)
- Agents Not Recommended or those Requiring Further Study
- Clinical Features that Help Direct Treatment Choices
- The Evidence-Base for Bipolar II Disorder
- Strength of Evidence for Acute Management of Hypomania and Bipolar II Depression
- Should antidepressants be used in Bipolar II Depression?
- Recommendations for the Use of Antidepressants and 2nd-Line Lamotrigine in Bipolar II Depression
- Strength of Evidence for Maintenance Treatment of Bipolar II Depression
- Levels of evidence and their application in practice - Activity
Course Description
CANMAT Guidelines for the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
The CANMAT Guidelines for Bipolar Disorder on-demand webinar, led by internationally recognized Professor Michael Berk and hosted by Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Sanil Rege, provides a detailed exploration of the Mood Disorders Guidelines with a focus on Bipolar Disorder Management. Through six engaging modules, the course delivers evidence-based insights into the acute and long-term treatment of bipolar disorder, helping clinicians integrate key recommendations into their practice.
Upon completion, participants will receive a course completion certificate and 3 CPD hours (EA 2.5, RP 0.5).
Module 1 introduces the CANMAT Guidelines, developed to update diagnostic and management principles based on DSM-5, synthesize evidence for interventions across all phases of bipolar disorder, and translate this evidence into clear, practical recommendations. The module also explores how clinical practice differs from clinical guidance.
Module 2 examines the updated CANMAT and ISBD guidelines, highlighting key changes, better-defined treatment lines, and new levels of clinical evidence. Participants will gain insights into the hierarchical approach to treatment selection, with a focus on how agents are ranked based on safety, efficacy, and tolerability.
Module 3 focuses on the Acute Management of Bipolar Mania, explaining DSM-5 changes, agitation manifestations, and short-term pharmacological management. It provides guidance on treatment options like lithium and divalproex to assist in clinical decision-making.
Module 4 covers the Acute Management of Bipolar Depression, addressing challenges such as misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis. The module reviews treatment principles and offers a stepwise approach to first- and second-line treatments, including lithium, lamotrigine, and lurasidone. It also explores newer therapies like cariprazine and lumateperone, along with the role of electroconvulsive therapy and emerging treatments.
Module 5 explores Maintenance Therapy for Bipolar Disorder, focusing on long-term treatment and adherence. It covers first- and second-line options, including combined atypicals and lithium, and newer recommendations. The module also discusses strategies to enhance adherence, psychosocial interventions, and management of treatment-resistant bipolar disorder, highlighting medications like asenapine, aripiprazole, and lurasidone.
Module 6 focuses on Treating Bipolar II Disorder, examining evidence-based strategies for managing hypomania and bipolar II depression. It reviews the limited efficacy of antidepressants, the role of lamotrigine as a second-line treatment, and maintenance therapy strategies.
This professionally designed, video-based course integrates graphs, clinical insights, and actionable recommendations, providing participants with practical knowledge to enhance their clinical practice.
Explore the 2023 CANMAT Guidelines for Bipolar Disorder with Professor Michael Berk. Gain key insights into acute management, maintenance therapy, and Bipolar II disorder in this expert-led webinar.
Course Information
- 3 hours
- 3 CPD
Inclusions
- 3 Hours of Interactive Course Material
- 1+ Hours of Video Lectures
- Activities
- Certificate of Completion
Material Downloads
- certificate
Instructors
Prof Michael Berk Guest Speaker
Professor Michael Berk is a distinguished researcher and academic known for his contributions to psychiatric research and his involvement with the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) and the International Society for Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Guidelines (ISBD) Workgroup.
Professor Berk is currently an NHMRC senior principal research fellow and Alfred Deakin chair of psychiatry at Deakin University and Barwon Health. He leads the Institute for Innovation on mental and physical health and clinical translation impact. Professor Burke also holds honorary positions at Melbourne University, The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Orygen Youth Health and Monash University with over 1400 publications to his name.
Dr Sanil Rege Webinar Host and Course Reviewer - MBBS, MRCPsych, FRANZCP
With extensive teaching experience through various psychiatry education initiatives, Sanil is renowned as a motivational training facilitator who promotes collaboration and discussion
As the Academic Lead of Psych Scene and Chief Editor of Psych Scene Hub, he aspires to make a difference in mental health by empowering Healthcare Professionals to advance their skills and careers through the provision of specialised training.
Dr Rege is also the founder of Vita Healthcare, a private clinic in Mount Eliza specialising in mental health. He has 20 years of clinical experience and 13 years of private practice experience treating disorders across the spectrum. He currently works in community in-patient, consultation-liaison, and addiction psychiatry.
