Nigeria: Ladyann Oluwatosin Crown and Her Insights

My name is Ladyann Oluwatosin Crown, a 34-year-old from Nigeria. I am passionate about youth empowerment, mental health advocacy, and creating initiatives that inspire clarity, purpose, and resilience in the next generation. My career goals include becoming a leading teens coach, an established writer, and an entrepreneur dedicated to driving lasting social impact. Beyond my professional pursuits, I enjoy writing, researching, teaching, and engaging in meaningful conversations that promote growth and transformation.

Reviewed Article: Management of Patients With Older Age Bipolar Disorder What treatments are available for those with older age bipolar disorder By Rajesh R. Tampi, MD, MS, DFAPA, DFAAGP, and Deena J. Tampi, MSN, MBA-HCA, RN, DFAAGP.

Main Argument & Findings:

       Older Age Bipolar Disorder (OABD) is a significant yet under-recognized psychiatric condition in the aging population. Compared to Early-Onset Bipolar Disorder (EOBD), individuals with OABD present fewer familial psychiatric histories but demonstrate increased medical comorbidities, cognitive decline, and overall poorer clinical outcomes. Nonpharmacological interventions demonstrate notable benefits. Skills training programs such as MAST-BD have been shown to improve medication adherence, depressive symptoms, and quality of life. Integrated medical care models that emphasize self-management and coordination enhance treatment satisfaction and continuity of care. Pharmacological treatments remain central to OABD management. Lithium continues to be the gold standard for mania and suicide prevention, though its use is constrained by higher toxicity risks in older adults. Anticonvulsants, including valproic acid and lamotrigine, serve as viable alternatives, with lamotrigine providing superior cognitive tolerability. Antipsychotics such as quetiapine, lurasidone, and asenapine demonstrate efficacy but require vigilant monitoring due to metabolic and cerebrovascular risks. Antidepressants may reduce hospital admissions for manic episodes, though their role in treating bipolar depression remains limited. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is confirmed to be highly effective for severe, treatment-resistant, or emergent presentations, including suicidality, catatonia, and psychosis. Treatment algorithms recommend initiating monotherapy for at least 3–4 weeks, escalating to combination therapy if ineffective, and maintaining pharmacological regimens for 6–12 months before cautiously tapering adjunctive medications under stable remission.

Reading this work deepened my appreciation for the complexity of treating bipolar disorder in older adults. I was struck by how the same medications used in younger patients must be adjusted with precision in older populations due to risks of toxicity, drug interactions, and physical frailty.

Importance for Youth:

    Understanding Older Age Bipolar Disorder (OABD) provides young people with insight into the long-term trajectory of mental health conditions, reinforcing the importance of early diagnosis, consistent treatment, and proactive care strategies. Youth who live with or care for aging parents and grandparents affected by bipolar disorder can develop greater empathy, resilience, and informed caregiving skills. Furthermore, awareness of OABD highlights that mental health is a lifelong concern. Establishing healthy habits during youth—such as adherence to treatment, stress management, and engaging in open dialogue about mental health—can significantly reduce the risk of complications and enhance well-being later in life.

What I Learned: 

    This article underscores that bipolar disorder does not diminish with age; rather, it becomes more clinically complex due to increased medical comorbidities, polypharmacy, and drug–disease interactions. Lithium remains a cornerstone therapy, offering not only mood stabilization but also protective effects against suicide and cognitive decline despite its narrow therapeutic index. Nonpharmacological strategies, including skills training and coordinated care models, are equally critical in promoting long-term stability. Ultimately, the findings emphasize a holistic and compassionate approach that integrates medical, psychological, and social dimensions of care to enhance quality of life for older adults living with bipolar disorder.

Also, I’ve learned that raising awareness about OABD is crucial. Many communities may overlook bipolar symptoms in older adults, mistaking them for “normal aging” or other conditions. By sharing evidence-based knowledge, we can foster greater understanding, reduce stigma, and advocate for specialized care that addresses both the mind and body.

Citations: Tampi, R. R., & Tampi, D. J. (2022, September 30). Management of patients with older age bipolar disorder. Psychiatric Times. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/Management-of-Patients-With-Older-Age-Bipolar-Disorder

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ladyancrown