Psychotherapies

As a counselor, there are various therapeutic techniques in which to employ to individuals with Bipolar disorder. Psychotherapy can be an effective means in treating Bipolar disorder, especially when coupled with psychotropic medication. Giving people education and insight into the illness, encouraging medication compliance and providing ways in which the individual can cope with the turbulent mood swings of the disorder are all important aspects to focus on when counseling someone with bipolar disorder.

There are common areas of focus for psychotherapy directed at individuals with Bipolar disorder. They include:
 * Encouraging medication compliance, as stopping medication is a common cause of relapse
 * Psychoeducation
 * Promoting maintenance of regular daily routines and sleep
 * Observation and tracking of moods
 * General coping strategies
 * Problem solving techniques



The following are types of treatment that individuals with Bipolar disorder can benefit from:


 * Psychoeducation Groups -** This type of counseling can help the individual gain knowledge about bipolar disorder, which can give them insight to their illness. Having insight about your illness can assist in achieving positive therapeutic outcomes. Meeting other people who also suffer from bipolar disorder can allow a sense of a “shared struggle” amongst members and gives them a platform in which they can discuss personal experiences with the illness (Swartz, 2001). This group can also highlight the importance of medication compliance and encourage the group members to stay on track with their prescribed medication.

//“A small but significant number of empirical studies show that careful education about bipolar disorder and its treatment can improve adherence to medication, which is helpful in reducing the mood swings of this disorder, thereby bringing more stability into the patient’s life.” (Davison, Blankstein, Flett, Neale, 2008)//


 * Couples Therapy -** Both the individual with Bipolar disorder and their spouse can benefit from engaging in therapy together. This can be an effective way of increasing the social support and allow the spouse to gain insight into the illness while learning effective ways in which to cope with the ups and downs of their loved one’s mood swings. It can allow for a more understanding and hopefully patient perspective on behalf of the spouse.


 * Family Therapy -** Similar to couples therapy, therapists working in this area also often do some work with family members to help educate them about how to best support the person in their family who experiences these symptoms. Family education and/or support groups are quite common.


 * Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy -** This is a problem solving approach to bipolar disorder that focuses on assisting the client in developing coping techniques that will help them deal with stress which is often a trigger to manic episodes. It also focuses on ensuring the client has a regulated circadian rhythm schedule (ie. has a regular sleep/wake cycle pattern). By creating a routinized schedule to follow, the client can ensure they are receiving the proper amounts of sleep while regulating their daily activities which can be quite comforting to them. Creating lifestyle balance is important in this therapy, as symptoms can arise or be exacerabated when clients start to feel overwhelmed and/or don't attend to their physical health (ie. no proper sleep). Having some discussion focusing on 'accepting' the challenges of living with Bipolar disorder, and how to create and maintain a quality of life despite the challenges/barriers of having bipolar are both important aspects as well.

These are a few of the common psychotherapy techniques that are implemented when working with individuals with Bipolar disorder along with the common areas that are generally focused on within treatment. Generally, Bipolar disorder is seen as having endogenous sources, therefore psychotropic medication is normally the first type of treatment that is prescribed. Treatment options are generally more effective when both medication and some type of therapy are combined, thus it is recommended that these two treatment types occur together to yield the most effective therapeutic outcomes.