Whether the prescription of antidepressants for bipolar patients
causes harm is a subject of considerable debate. Earlier studies
indicated that antidepressants could cause an acceleration of
mood cycles and an overall destabilization of patients with bipolar
disorder in addition to precipitating a manic or hypomanic episode
(Altshuler et al., 1995; Boerlin et al., 1998; Peet, 1994; Wehr et
al., 1988). These studies involved the earlier antidepressants,
particularly tricyclic antidepressants. More recent studies of the
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) do not, in general,
support destabilization or switch into mania (Sidor and MacQueen,
2011), at least with shorter-term treatment.