Psychosocial Interventions for Bipolar Disorder

Statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health reveal that as many as 5.7 million adult Americans suffer from bipolar mood disorder. The exact cause of the condition remains unknown, however hereditary causes and brain chemistry imbalances are known factors that contribute to its prevalence. Medication therapy combined with psychosocial interventions are used to help individuals cope with this condition.

Bipolar Disorder

• Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder, is a mental illness in which a person is subject to extreme changes in personality and mood. The condition is characterized by mood fluctuations where a person goes through a period of mania, or extreme happiness, and then moves into a period of deep depression. Episodes can last anywhere from a number weeks to months at a time. In most cases, medication treatment is necessary, however psychosocial interventions are also helpful when used along with the medication.

Psychosocial Interventions

• Psychosocial interventions for bipolar disorder include psychoeducation, individual psychotherapy, and self help and support groups. The theory behind these approaches rests on providing the individual with the tools needed to cope with his condition while living a normal life. Social settings are used as learning environments, where individuals can better understand and control the symptoms of their condition. These interventions are typically organized by treatment professionals who work in teams. Psychiatrists, therapists, and case workers each play a specific role in the client's treatment plan.

Self Help & Support Groups

• Self help and support groups are made up of individuals with bipolar disorder, as well as any friends or family looking to better understand how the condition affects daily life. Self help groups provide a setting where individuals can share experiences and learn how to better cope with their condition. Both self help and support groups provide a social setting in which issues surrounding the illness can be discussed. Since periods of isolation can accompany this condition, support groups remind participants that there are others also going through similar experiences.

Psychoeducation

• Psychoeducation interventions are specifically designed to educate individuals about the symptoms of their illness. By understanding the cyclic nature of bipolar disorders, individuals can better recognize when changes occur, and how to deal with them. During episodes of mania, a person can exhibit wild, or volatile, behaviors ranging from sexual promiscuity to life-threatening adventures. And while every person has their own individual set of symptoms, being able to identify signs of remission can help in avoiding possible hospitalization. Individuals are also educated on how their medication treatment helps to regulate the symptoms of the disorder.

Individual Psychotherapy

• Psychosocial interventions which use psychotherapy are designed to address the specific thought processes that contribute to the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Therapists can work from one of many different psychotherapy methods. Cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy are a few of the approaches used to address issues surrounding bipolar disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapies deal specifically with thought patterns and how they influence an individual's perception, emotions and behaviors. The goal is to replace negative thought processes with positive ones. Interpersonal therapies focus on a person's relationships and how she contributes to relationship interactions and outcomes. Dialectical behavior therapy uses positive and negative reinforcement models, or behavior therapy, as a model for treatment. This model is combined with a type of cognitive therapy where a person's perception regarding extremes, or opposites is examined.