Ziprasidone for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety in Patients With Bipolar Disorder

Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female outpatients, aged 18 to 75 years. * Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder (Bipolar I or Bipolar II). * Current diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). * Participants must be on at least one of the following mood stabilizers at steady dose for at least 4 weeks prior to randomization: lithium with blood levels between 0.4-1.4 meq/L, valproic acid/divalproate sodium (with levels between 50-150 ugm/dl) carbamazepine (blood levels between 4-12 mcg/ml), or lamotrigine (dosed 50-400 mg/day). Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or lactating women or others not using acceptable means of birth control (e.g., IUD, oral contraceptives, barrier devices, condoms and foam, implanted progesterone rods stabilized for at least 3 months). * Patients with current or history of schizophrenia, or patients with current mania, hypomania at study entry. Lifetime psychosis and dementia are exclusionary. * Patients with current obsessive-compulsive disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder are excluded. * Patients with a history of alcohol or substance abuse or dependence within the last three months. * Patients with significant unstable medical illness likely to result in hospitalization or acute medical care. In addition, patients with an established diagnosis of diabetes mellitus are excluded. * Current cognitive behavioral therapy directed toward the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. * History of hypersensitivity to or lack of response to ziprasidone. * Concomitant treatment with other typical or atypical antipsychotics; patients should be off other typical or atypical antipsychotics for at least one week prior to study baseline. * Patients with significant suicidal ideation or who have enacted suicidal behaviors within 3 months prior to intake will be excluded from study participation and referred for appropriate clinical intervention. * Patients who have had a psychiatric hospitalization (including for bipolar disorder) in the past 3 months are excluded. * Seizure disorders with the exception of a history of febrile seizures if they occurred during childhood, were isolated, and did not recur in adulthood. * History of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome. * Individuals with current clinically significant orthostatic hypotension are excluded.