Quality of life improvement in people with bipolar disorder is a critical target for clinical attention1. Published manuals exist for the four evidence-based psychosocial treatments for BD, and healthcare providers offering treatment to people with a BD diagnosis should be familiar with these2,3,5,6. In particular, a second edition of the evidence-informed manual for Cognitive- Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for BD was published in 20105. CBT for BD draws eclectically from other evidence-based therapies for BD, and rests on therapeutic knowledge and skills familiar to many healthcare providers.
As a background to this reading, we note that an integrative approach has been recommended7. Key skills and knowledge targeted in empirically-supported treatments for BD include:
- Improve ability to recognise changes in mood,
signs of prodromal periods and to respond quickly and effectively (via
pre-planning) to these prodromal symptoms
- Increase knowledge about and acceptance of BD, including acceptance of and adherence to medication regimens
- Encourage daily monitoring of mood and sleep
- Improve interpersonal communication, particularly in the family
- Improve significant others' understanding of BD, including ability to identify and productively respond to prodromal symptoms
- Re-engage with social, familial and occupational roles
- Improve stress response and emotion regulation skills, especially around goals and reward activation
- Proactively stabilise sleep/wake and other social rhythms
- Identify and critique maladaptive thoughts and beliefs, particularly in relation to the self and the disorder
- Reducing drug or alcohol misuse
Efficacy of psychosocial
treatments for BD is improved with early identification of episodes,
understanding of the triggers for mood change and key predictors of
these changes, such as changes in sleep and activity. This knowledge
requires the person with BD to be mindful of changes in mood, and as
such daily mood monitoring is a central element of treatment.
Motivational interviewing has proven effective
in engaging this client group in discussion about the reasons why they
are using substances, in considering the pros and cons of this behaviour
and dealing with factors underlying ambivalence to change4,8.
Finally, a strongly collaborative working
relationship, and a therapeutic approach emphasising skill-development
and empowerment is recommended.
Select clinician-focused books, key peer-reviewed publication citations and tools are provided (at a QoL domain level) below.