What is the most appropriate treatment for a patient with acute mania who is impulsively engaging in financially irresponsible behavior?

The most appropriate treatment for a patient experiencing acute mania, particularly with impulsive behavior such as financially irresponsible actions, is the use of a mood stabilizer like lithium. Lithium is well-established as a first-line treatment for managing acute manic episodes and is specifically effective in stabilizing mood and reducing manic symptoms.

In acute mania, the primary goal is to quickly address the manic symptoms, which can include impulsivity, hyperactivity, and risk-taking behavior. Lithium works by modulating neurotransmitter levels and has a proven track record in not only reducing manic episodes but also in preventing their recurrence over the long term.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can be useful as a supplementary treatment but is not the primary intervention for acute mania due to the need for immediate pharmacological management. Antidepressants, such as Prozac, may exacerbate manic symptoms if used without a mood stabilizer, as they can potentially induce manic episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder. Therefore, while they have a role in treating depressive episodes, they are not appropriate for immediate treatment of acute mania.