Depressive and Bipolar Disorders

Specialist assessment when mood becomes unstable

The Depressive and Bipolar Disorders Unit at Publio Cordón Memorial Hospital treats patients presenting with depressive symptoms, recurrent episodes or bipolar disorders that require a specialist clinical assessment.

It focuses on accurate diagnosis and a structured approach to situations where changes in mood require a detailed clinical review and an individualised treatment plan.

This is a clinical area that addresses both depressive episodes and bipolar disorders, which can significantly affect emotional balance, personal functioning and life stability.

These situations require sound diagnostic judgement, careful analysis of clinical progression and a treatment strategy based on scientific evidence and clinical experience.

When symptoms persist or recur

Assessment by a specialist team is particularly recommended when depressive symptoms persist over time, when there have been several episodes throughout a person’s life, or when there is mood instability.

In some patients, the clinical course may be characterised by relapses, a partial response to treatment, or difficulties in regaining sustained emotional stability.

In such cases, a specialist psychiatric assessment enables the diagnosis to be reviewed, previous treatments to be analysed, and a treatment strategy to be devised that is better tailored to each individual’s circumstances.

Clinical situations requiring an expert assessment of mood

The Unit frequently assesses various mood disorders that require expert evaluation and structured clinical follow-up. Each case is analysed taking into account the progression of symptoms, the response to previous treatments, the presence of associated biological and psychological factors, and the functional impact of the disorder.

Among the most common clinical conditions are:

• Major depression with an inadequate response to pharmacological treatments

• Treatment-resistant depression

• Bipolar disorder type I and type II

• Recurrent depressive episodes

• Mixed episodes or persistent affective instability

• Frequent relapses following periods of clinical stability

Each case is analysed using rigorous diagnostic criteria, with the aim of establishing an appropriate and clinically sound treatment plan.

How the diagnosis is confirmed and the treatment strategy determined

Care begins with a specialist psychiatric consultation, which includes a detailed clinical examination, a review of personal and family history, and an analysis of previous treatments.

This process enables us to understand the course of the disorder, identify potential factors influencing the therapeutic response, and establish an accurate differential diagnosis amongst the various mood disorders.

Where necessary, the assessment may include additional tests and collaboration with other medical specialities to obtain a comprehensive view of the case.

The aim is to clearly identify the type of disorder present and to plan the most appropriate treatment strategy for each clinical situation.

Advanced treatment options for cases with a complex clinical course

Treatment is determined based on the established diagnosis, the patient’s clinical course and the response to previous therapies. The approach may include optimising pharmacological treatment, specific psychotherapeutic interventions and therapeutic strategies aimed at improving mood stability and preventing further relapses.

In certain cases of treatment-resistant depression, the Unit may consider transcranial magnetic stimulation, a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that acts on brain circuits involved in mood regulation. Its use is determined on a case-by-case basis as part of a comprehensive treatment plan supervised by the psychiatric team.

The choice of each treatment is based on rigorous clinical criteria.

The aim is to define a proportionate therapeutic strategy that promotes functional recovery and emotional stability in the medium and long term.

Treatment planning and specialist follow-up

The Unit comprises psychiatrists who specialise specifically in the treatment of complex mood disorders and have experience in managing cases with a prolonged course or limited therapeutic response.

Their clinical practice is underpinned by up-to-date protocols, ongoing monitoring and coordination with other professionals when the clinical situation requires it.

The care model at the Publio Cordón Memorial Hospital prioritises a rigorous clinical assessment, taking the time needed to explain each diagnosis clearly, and individualised treatment planning.

Patients play an active role in decision-making and receive a structured follow-up programme that allows treatment to be adjusted in line with their clinical progress, within a framework of responsible medical practice and excellence in care.