Psychotherapy for bipolar disorders - efficacy and effectiveness

This paper explores the development of psychological treatments as an adjunct to medication in bipolar disorders. Randomized controlled treatment trials of specific therapy models, such as cognitive therapy, that tackle a spectrum of complex psychological and social problems associated with bipolar disorders are reviewed. A systematic review of the most recent treatment outcome studies suggest that adjunctive psychological therapies reduce overall rates of relapse, but are more effective for depression than for mania. There is no evidence that any particular therapy has a unique mechanism of action or any specific advantages over any other approach. Finally, it is suggested that gaps in the theory and available evidence for effectiveness need to be addressed if we are to enable clinicians to target psychological therapies towards those individuals with bipolar disorder who are most likely to benefit.

The nature and treatment of depression in bipolar disorder: A review and implications for future psychological investigation

Bipolar depression is poorly understood and researched, yet it is has a huge impact on functioning in bipolar disorder. This review explores the current status of research regarding the phenomenology, natural history, neuropsychology, psychosocial predictors and cognitive style of bipolar depression. The current status of pharmacotherapy and psychological treatment of bipolar depression is also described. In particular, the manner in which cognitive behaviour therapy for bipolar depression has been adapted from CBT for unipolar depression is critically evaluated. It is concluded that there appears to be a considerable overlap between the features of unipolar and bipolar depression, yet there is also emerging evidence for specific elements. The ability of current psychological theories of bipolar disorder to account for the findings are compared, and as a consequence, a new preliminary integrative model is proposed to direct future hypothesis-led research, which will need to incorporate more suitable populations and utilise more objective methods of assessment.