Bipolar Study Finds Family and Therapy Helps

According to a study published in the April 2 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, "Psychosocial Treatments for Bipolar Disorder," patients with bipolar disorder show greater improvement when family involvement and intensive psychotherapy is provided.

Bipolar disease is a complex brain disorder that affects over five-million individuals. Bipolar disease is generally characterized by a combination of depression and manic episodes, and can include psychotic features such as paranoia. The degree of disability varies as some victims find their illness well-managed with treatment, while many patients experience treatment-resistant depression, uncontrolled mania and other difficulties.

This study is a follow up study to one published March 29 in the New England Journal of Medicine concerning the effectiveness of antidepressants in treating bipolar disorder. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) funded both studies.

According to a statement released by National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Medical Director, Ken Duckworth M.D., this study "concludes what NAMI members have known for years -- a combination of intensive psychosocial interventions and family involvement are both necessary ingredients for the best outcomes in bipolar disorder."

Researchers compared two treatment models: 'intensive psychotherapy' given weekly and biweekly for up to 30 sessions in nine months and 'collaborative care' consisting of three sessions in six weeks.

Types of Treatment

Intensive treatment included family-focused therapy or interpersonal and social-rhythm therapy (IPSRT) or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT).

--Family-focused therapy provides education and understanding about bipolar disorder and encourages both patients and relatives to take an active role in the disease, including medication adherence and implementation of a relapse-prevention plan.

--IPSRT focuses on disruptions in social routines and sleep/wake cycles, how bipolar patients can anticipate and deal with these events, and interpersonal problem resolution.