ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2024;41(1):154-160

Case report

UDC: 616.895.1:618.4
DOI: 10.5937/afmnai41-42676

Running title: Postpartum Bipolar Disorder 2: Case Report

Postpartum Bipolar Disorder II: A Case Report

 Jelena Stojanov¹, Olivera Žikić^2,3, Miodrag Stanković^2,3

 ¹Special Hospital for Psychiatric Disorders "Gornja Toponica," Niš, Serbia
²University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Niš, Serbia
³University Clinical Centre Niš, Center of Mental Health Protection, Niš, Niš, Serbia

SUMMARY

Introduction. The postpartum period is considered a period of increased risk of developing bipolar affective disorder (BDII) type II. According to the available data, postpartum BDII is a highly neglected area of observation, with negative consequences for mothers, offspring, and the family as a whole.
Case report. The paper describes the case of a patient with symptoms of a depressive episode of atypical features following childbirth. The patient had one mild postpartum depression episode and multiple previously detected hypomania-like episodes. Postpartum depression and bipolar affective disorder were detected in the family history. Escitalopram 20 mg in combination with Lamotrigine 200 mg was prescribed. There were no detected side effects to the prescribed therapeutic dose, and there have been no relapses so far.
Conclusion. During pregnancy and postpartum, women should be screened for BDII. Based on the experience from the presented case, the combination of escitalopram and lamotrigine has shown promising results and complies with all recommended BDII treatment guidelines.

 Keywords: postpartum, bipolar affective disorder type II, escitalopram, lamotrigine

Corresponding author:

Jelena Stojanov

e-mail: jelena.a.86.ja@gmail.com