Psychotherapy is a non-medical "talking" therapy that can be very effective and helpful for some bipolar patients. However, it is generally helpful as an additional bipolar treatment to be provided along with medication treatment. Forms of depression can often be adequately and safely treated with certain forms of psychotherapy alone.
Full Answer
How effective are psychotherapy approaches for bipolar disorder?
12 rows · Psychotherapy, when added to medication for the treatment of bipolar disorder, consistently shows advantages over medication alone as a treatment for bipolar disorder. Whether delivered in a group or individual format, those who receive bipolar disorder-specific psychotherapy fare better than those who do not.
Are medications enough to treat bipolar disorder?
Sep 17, 2014 · Psychotherapy for Bipolar Disorder. At least 5 psychotherapy approaches for bipolar disorder have been been shown to be of benefit when added to medications for the treatment of bipolar disorder, compared to medications alone. This essay will introduce you to each of these psychotherapies and show you some evidence of their success.
Is there a modern version of psychoanalysis for bipolar?
Bipolar II depression treatment with psychotherapy plus medication results in more symptomatic improvement than psychotherapy alone but also more side effects. Psychotherapy alone is a reasonable treatment option for bipolar II depression, especially for those who prefer it and those for whom medication is relatively contraindicated.
How many psychotherapies are there for bipolar disorder?
Mar 20, 2020 · Three types of therapy have been developed for the treatment of bipolar disorder. These therapies have been specifically shown to be effective in treating bipolar disorder in research studies. All three types of psychotherapy include psychoeducation, which involves helping the patient (and at times his or her family) understand the causes, symptoms, and …
How effective is psychotherapy alone as a treatment for bipolar?
Swartz concludes, “Psychotherapy, when added to medication for the treatment of bipolar disorder, consistently shows advantages over medication alone.” Those who receive bipolar disorder-specific psychotherapy fare better than those who do not, whether it is delivered in a group or individual format, she adds.Oct 24, 2015
Can therapy alone treat bipolar disorder?
Although pharmacotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for bipolar disorder, medication offers only partial relief for patients. Treatment with pharmacologic interventions alone is associated with disappointingly low rates of remission, high rates of recurrence, residual symptoms, and psychosocial impairment.
What is the single most successful treatment approach for bipolar disorder?
The most effective treatment for bipolar disorder is a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Most people take more than one drug, like a mood-stabilizing drug and an antipsychotic or antidepressant.Apr 21, 2021
What is the advantage of adding psychotherapy to medication treatment for bipolar disorder?
An analysis of 39 randomized clinical trials involving 3,863 individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder concludes that when medication is supplemented with various forms of psychotherapy, the rate of recurrence in 12 months declines, and symptoms are better managed.Nov 19, 2020
Can bipolar disorder be cured permanently?
Can bipolar disorder be cured? There is no cure for bipolar disorder, but through behavior therapy and the right combination of mood stabilizers and other bipolar medicines, most people with bipolar disorder can live normal, productive lives and control the illness.Mar 17, 2022
What is a good mood stabilizer for bipolar?
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) may be the most effective mood stabilizer for depression in bipolar disorder, but is not as helpful for mania. The starting dose of lamotrigine should be very low and increased very slowly over four weeks or more.
Is bipolar disorder treatable without medication?
If the mood becomes too high or low, psychosis can develop. There is no cure for bipolar disorder, but treatment enables people to manage it. Some lifestyle adaptations can also help, alongside the medication.
What is the goal of bipolar treatment?
Treatment of bipolar disorder generally begins with the goal of bringing a patient with mania or depression to symptomatic recovery and stable mood. Once stable, the goal progresses to reduction of subthreshold symptoms and relapse prevention.
What is the prognosis for bipolar disorder?
About 70 to 80% of people with Bipolar I are treated successfully. However, 20 to 30% will continue to have symptoms, including mood swings, and may have more trouble maintaining relationships and keeping jobs.Oct 19, 2020
Is psychotherapy more effective than medication?
Research generally shows that psychotherapy is more effective than medications, and that adding medications does not significantly improve outcomes from psychotherapy alone.
What is the best treatment for bipolar anxiety?
Psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT); CBT is actually considered one of the most effective treatments for anxiety. 2. Coping and relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing.
Does psychodynamic therapy work for bipolar disorder?
Contemporary psychodynamic psychotherapy can be one particularly important integrative approach for enhancing treatment outcome for bipolar illness in clinical practice today.
How many sessions of education for bipolar disorder?
This research team (including Dr. Vieta, who provided much of the material for this entire essay) added 21 sessions of education about bipolar disorder, in groups of 8-12 patients each, to routine treatment in their clinic. A control group received 21 sessions of “nonstructured” meetings with the same two therapists, but in these groups, they tried not to teach about bipolar disorder (think about it: this was a very rigorous test of the theory that education itself is the active ingredient in the different outcomes shown below).
What are the three psychotherapies?
The three psychotherapies, all of which are described below, were: Bipolar-specific Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Interpersonal Therapy with Social Rhythm Therapy. Family-Focused Therapy (for patients with family who could join in treatment) There two more kinds of therapy which have been studied in bipolar disorder.
When was cognitive therapy introduced?
This technique was introduced in 1996 by Drs. Basco and Rush (Ph.D. and M.D. respectively) in their book Cognitive Therapy for Bipolar Disorder. For psychologists seeking training in this method — or patients and families seeking the most thorough treatment possible and willing to teach their therapists while both patient and therapist learn by working through the a training manual — another more recent book describes the technique used by the authors of the largest research study of this method: Cognitive Therapy for Bipolar Disorder: A Therapist’s Guide to Concepts, Methods and Practice, by Dominic Lam and colleagues.
Psychotherapy is Effective
Many different types of psychotherapy are available to help patients with psychological problems. Research has shown that mainstream forms of psychotherapy work well when treating depression, anxiety, and most other psychological, psychiatric, and mental disorders.
Bipolar Psychotherapies
Three types of therapy have been developed for the treatment of bipolar disorder. These therapies have been specifically shown to be effective in treating bipolar disorder in research studies.
Combining Therapies
Any qualified mental health professional should be trained to provide effective forms of psychotherapy. However, most mental health professionals are not trained in bipolar-specific forms of psychotherapy listed here. For bipolar patients, it may be helpful to combine more traditional forms of psychotherapy with these more targeted treatments.
What is evidence based treatment for bipolar disorder?
What is Evidence-Based Practice for Bipolar Disorder? Research has shown that the treatments listed here are effective for people with bipolar disorder and are considered to be evidence-based. Evidence-based treatments for bipolar disorder include: Medication. Psychoeducation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
How does CBT help with bipolar?
This can help individuals with bipolar disorder minimize the types of stress that can lead to a hospitalization. CBT also helps individuals learn how to identify maladaptive thoughts, logically challenge them, and replace them with more adaptive thoughts. CBT further targets depressive symptoms by encouraging patients to schedule pleasurable ...
What is the purpose of psychoeducation?
Psychoeducation. Psychoeducation educates patients about their illness and the most effective ways of treating symptoms and preventing relapse. Psychoeducation covers topics such as the nature and course of bipolar disorder, the importance of active involvement in treatment, the potential benefits and adverse effects of various treatment options, ...
How does social skills training help bipolar?
Many people with bipolar disorder have difficulties with social skills. Social skills training (SST) aims to correct these deficits by teaching skills to help express emotion and communicate more effectively so individuals are more likely to achieve their goals, develop relationships, and live independently. Social skills are taught in a very systematic way using behavioral techniques, such as modeling, role playing, positive reinforcement, and shaping.
Can weight gain cause bipolar?
Weight gain is a significant and frustrating side effects of some medications used to treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Weight gain can lead to problems such as diabetes and hypertension, making it a serious health issue for many individuals.
What is behavioral therapy?
Behavioral therapy focuses on a person’s actions and aims to change unhealthy behavior patterns. CBT is used as an addition to medication and includes psychoeducation about the disorder as well as problem-solving techniques.
What is IPSRT therapy?
In Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), patients first learn to recognize the relationship between their circadian rhythms and daily routines, as well as their mental health symptoms. IPSRT then focuses on stabilizing sleep/wake cycles, maintaining regular patterns of daily activities (i.e., sleeping, eating, exercise, and other stimulating activities), and addressing potential problems that may disrupt these routines.
