Cognitive-Behavioral Strategies for the Management of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chronic and severe psychiatric disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of depression and mania. Although considered to be biological in nature, the symptoms of bipolar disorder can be influenced by environmental, behavioral, and cognitive factors. Such factors include psychosocial stressors, medication noncompliance, and negative thinking. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be beneficial as an adjunctive treatment to help patients anticipate and respond to early exacerbations of illness with the goal of preventing full recurrences of depression, mania, and mixed states. Early evidence suggests that educating patients about the nature of their illness, developing methods for early detection of recurrent symptoms, and improvements in medication compliance can lead to better outcomes than standard pharmacologic treatment. This article introduces cognitive-behavioral interventions for the management of bipolar disorder. Case examples, which illustrate the implementation of such treatment strategies, are provided.