Chapter 12

Matching Empirically Supported Therapies to Treatment Targets in Bipolar Disorder

First published: 16 March 2017

Summary

This chapter explores the primary treatment targets for people with bipolar disorder (BD) and describes the components of empirically supported treatments that best map onto the treatment targets. It offers thoughts for future directions in the field of BD treatment research. Managing all aspects of the disorder typically requires a multifaceted treatment approach. The chapter focuses on the following treatment targets: sleep and/or schedule irregularities, emotion dysregulation, poor social functioning and/or support, insufficient problem-solving skills, and problem behaviors. Psychoeducation is often the first step in treatment for BD. It often begins by building an understanding of the etiology of the disorder and what causes mood episodes. Increasing social support and improving relationships with other people are important therapy targets; people with BD often struggle to make and maintain relationships, which reduce their quality of life.

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