Medication has long reigned supreme as the key treatment for bipolar disorder. And in many ways, that is still the case. But there are effective methods therapists can use along with medication providers. Research finds these therapy methods to be highly effective for helping patients manage bipolar symptoms.
Mood stabilizing medication has been the go-to for bipolar treatment because you really can’t successfully manage extreme mood swings without medication. These swings are subject to brain chemistry that we as humans cannot talk ourselves out of, especially in the case of mania.
Much like attention and concentration for ADHD, mood swings require medication management to prevent negative impacts on clients lives (e.g., excessive spending, losing relationships, legal troubles, etc.).
However, also much like ADHD, research shows some counseling approaches help clients with bipolar disorders learn effective strategies to manage other major symptoms. In particular, CBT for bipolar disorders shows real benefit for helping clients manage bipolar and prevent symptom relapse.
This approach focuses on multiple areas of people’s lives to help manage symptoms. First, many traditional CBT concepts can be helpful to minimize the impact of depressive episodes. This includes classic effective approaches like managing negative thoughts and negative mood states, and behavioral activation strategies.
Other key approaches of CBT for bipolar include strategies to build awareness of signs of extreme mood shifts. For example, slight changes in sleep patterns or slight increases in mood that might signal manic episode onset. Approaches also include important communication skills for family members, emotion regulation strategies, and exploring beliefs around medication to improve adherence.
Treatment also includes intentional planning for manic and depressive episodes. Logistical management for organizing one’s life around symptoms is often a literal lifesaver. For instance, developing structured plans to manage credit cards use during manic episodes to prevent financial catastrophe from hyper-spending behaviors.
There is a great on-demand training program from the Beck Institute where therapists learn to conduct CBT for bipolar disorders. This expert-led course focuses on many of these strategies, as well as broader issues of combating stigma and enhacing cross-cultural support.
Researchers also produced a helpful review of key features of CBT for bipolar disorders, if therapists want to learn more before training. There is also a great set of educational resources for clients from the Australian government. Leave it to the Aussies to give some cool stuff to the world…. Opera houses and all.
Bipolar disorder can be an extremely difficult and destructive disorder for individuals to live with. These days, therapists have great resources to help clients learn to manage bipolar symptoms along with crucial mood-stabilizing medication.
