What is the Role of Psychosocial Therapy in the treatment of bipolar disorder?
This approach is particularly useful during acute depression and recovery. During manic episodes, the patient may find it hard to listen to a therapist.
Psychotherapy is used to help a person with bipolar disorder cope with life problems and understand the effects of illness on significant relationships. Individual and/or group counseling can help individuals and their families cope with the effects of manic and/or depressive episodes. The impact of bipolar disorder can include reduced self-esteem, strained relationships, and effects on productivity. Therefore, this is a situation in which the supportive social and familial environment will most likely enhance the person’s outcome; psychosocial support is an essential part of maintenance therapy.
Counseling may be required for patients who have substance-abuse comorbidities. Persons suffering from mood disorders may turn to alcohol and/or drugs in an attempt to self medicate. Alcohol and/or drug abuse impairs judgment and is a factor that can cause nonadherence, leading to unsuccessful treatment.
As with schizophrenia, patient education, psychotherapy, and good patient follow-up are important in increasing adherence to drug therapy and optimizing clinical outcome for people with bipolar disorder. In fact, psychosocial aspects of the treatment of bipolar disorder can be as important as medical treatment. Education, counseling, and supervision can help improve a person’s understanding of the disorder and its treatment, and they are considered part of the overall management program.
For improving treatment adherence please find below the summary of issues in Psycho-education and Psychotherapy of Bipolar Disorder:
- acceptance of the disease
- adjustment to current life events
- abstention from substance use and abuse
- maintenance of regular sleep habits
- stress management
- discussion of patient’s concerns and questions
- maintenance of appointments
- verbal and written education for patient and family about bipolar disorder
- recognition of early symptoms prior to relapse
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