Table of Contents
- Highlights
- Introduction
- Causes
- Risk Factors
- Complications
- Prognosis
- Symptoms
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Medications
- Other Treatments
- Psychotherapy and Lifestyle Changes
- Resources
- References
Psychotherapy and Lifestyle Changes
Psychotherapy is an important addition to medication. There are many approaches. Trained mental health professionals can:
- Educate patients about bipolar disorder and its treatments
- Teach patients to recognize and manage early warning symptoms of imminent manic or depressive episodes
- Help them comply with drug regimens
- Monitor the patient's on-going status
In addition, psychotherapy can help patients:
- Adjust to the reality of the illness and understand the negative consequences of mania -- particularly important for patients who consider their mania to be positive, creative, and exhilarating
- Cope with feelings of guilt and remorse that occur after manic episodes
- Deal with feelings of imperfection and despair
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Therapists trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be particularly helpful for many patients. CBT is a structured, conscious method that aims to help a patient recognize negative thoughts and behavioral patterns and to change them. CBT is known to be helpful for other mood disorders, including depression and anxiety, and some studies suggest that it benefits patients with bipolar disorder as well.
Typical goals of CBT for patients with bipolar disorder patients include:
- Recognize manic episodes before they become full-blown and change behaviors during an episode
- Cope with depression by developing behaviors and thoughts that may help offset the negative mood
Family Therapy
It is important that partners, family members, or both be involved in therapy. Therapy can help them learn how to accept and cope with the condition.
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Review Date: 01/28/2011
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.,
Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
