Numerous treatment guidelines for Bipolar Disorders have been published in the last decade, most of them from developed countries. However, there are some specific issues in emerging countries that are not covered in these Guidelines. One of them is access to comprehensive care and newer medication in the public sector that is limited in Brazil and other countries. The other is the fact that very few clinical trials have been conducted in emerging countries and results may not be generalizable. This presentation will review the evidence supporting the need of specific Guidelines for emerging countries and the importance of recognizing particularities such as access to clinical care, differences in comorbid medical and psychiatric conditions and social support in these countries. A survey conducted in 2009 with Brazilian Psychiatrists will also be presented covering important issues such as: 1- The frequency Brazilian Psychiatrists use international published guidelines for Bipolar Disorders, and which are mostly utilized in their clinical practice; 2- Their opinion on the need for the Brazilian Association for Bipolar Disorder (ABTB) to publish its own treatment guidelines and 3- First line treatments prescribed for acute mania, bipolar depression and maintenance in their clinical practice in comparison to the ones recommended by the majority of international published guidelines.