David Osser

Dr. David Osser, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, shares his expertise on managing mixed manic episodes. He discusses the critical timing for adding lithium or valproate to antipsychotics, emphasizing patience and evidence-based strategies. Osser cautions against rushing into combination therapies due to managed care pressures and advocates for temporary use of benzodiazepines to stabilize patients. He weighs the pros and cons of lithium versus valproate and considers carbamazepine as a viable third-line option.