The Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Disorders (CANMAT), in collaboration with the International Society for Bipolar Disorders, has published an update of its guidelines on the management of bipolar disorder (Yatham et al. Bipolar Disord 2009; 11: 225-255). The guidelines were initially published in 2005 (Yatham et al. Bipolar Disord 2005; 7(suppl 3): 5-69) and first updated for 2007 (Yatham et al. Bipolar Disord 2006; 8: 721-739).