Which Therapy Is Best for Bipolar Disorder? How Does It Work?

Bipolar disorder is a challenging condition, that can impact an individual's daily wellbeing. Finding the right therapy can therefore be difficult. The best approach usually involves a mix of treatments that fit the person’s specific needs. While medication remains a cornerstone of bipolar disorder management, therapy also plays a critical role. There are many types of therapy available. Knowing about different treatments and how well they work can help you make informed choices.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Let’s start by understanding bipolar disorder. This mental health condition is known for severe mood swings that can affect daily life. The exact cause of bipolar disorder is not fully known. However, it is thought that a mix of genetic, biochemical, and environmental factors contribute to its development. People with bipolar disorder go through high-energy states called manic or hypomanic episodes. They may feel unusually energetic, easily irritable, or even extreme happiness. They can also experience low-energy states. This is where they feel very sad, tired, and uninterested in things they used to enjoy. These intense mood changes can significantly disrupt daily activities and relationships. Therefore, having effective treatment very important.

Bipolar disorder manifests in several forms, including:

Bipolar I Disorder

This type involves severe manic episodes, often accompanied by depressive episodes that can be debilitating.

Bipolar II Disorder

Here, individuals experience hypomanic episodes. They are known to be less severe than full-blown mania and are paired with depressive episodes.

Cyclothymic Disorder

It is characterized by periods of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms that don’t meet the criteria for a full depressive episode.

Treatments for Bipolar Disorder

To manage bipolar disorder, treatment usually includes both medication and therapy. Medications like mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants help control mood swings and symptoms. Therapy is also crucial, as it provides tools and strategies to handle daily challenges and stay stable. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered to be the most effective therapy for bipolar disorder. Several studies and research have shown CBT to be the “gold standard” treatment for bipolar disorder (Girelli et al., 2024).

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. Developed by Aaron Beck in the late 1900s, CBT has become one of the most popular and widely used therapies.

CBT is based on a very simple and intuitive idea: that our thoughts influence our feelings which ultimately shapes our behaviors. Thus, it proposes that in order to “fix” or change a negative behavior, we must first change our pattern of thinking. It aims to help individuals recognize and manage unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that lead to emotional distress.

Key Aspects of CBT

Structured:

Fundamentally, CBT uses an organized and structured approach. Each session follows a specific format to keep things focused and effective. CBT involves a systematic approach to understanding and changing thought patterns and behaviors. Therapists use structured techniques such as thought records, and behavioral experiments.

Goal Setting:

CBT focuses on setting specific, measurable, achievable, and time-bound goals. These goals are tailored to the client’s needs and are intended to address specific problems or symptoms. For example, someone dealing with bipolar disorder might set a goal to manage mood swings by learning new coping techniques.

Collaborative:

One of the most important aspects of CBT is working with the client. Clients are encouraged to be active participants in therapy. This includes participating in discussions about their feelings, as well as engaging in HW. The collaborative nature of this process helps build trust so that it is effective.

So, How Does CBT Specifically Contribute to Bipolar Disorder Treatment?

Bipolar disorder features intense mood swings that alternate between manic highs and depressive lows. These extreme changes in mood have a significant impact on daily functioning. It impacts a person’s personal, as well as professional functioning. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps manage these mood swings and helps provide stability. This support is key in stabilizing mood and improving quality of life.

Identifying and Challenging Negative Thought Patterns:

In CBT, therapists work with individuals to identify and then challenge negative thought patterns that drive mood swings. For example, during depressive episodes, a person might have thoughts of worthlessness or failure. CBT helps to reframe these thoughts and replace them with more balanced, realistic perspectives.

Developing Coping Strategies:

CBT equips individuals with a toolkit of coping strategies to manage stress and emotional upheaval. This might include techniques for improving sleep hygiene, creating a daily routine, and finding healthy ways to manage stress and emotions.

Behavioral Modifications:

The therapy also addresses behaviours that might trigger or worsen mood episodes. For instance, impulsive spending or risky behaviors are a general concern during manic episodes. CBT can help individuals develop strategies to manage these impulses effectively.

Relapse Prevention:

A key part of CBT is its emphasis on preventing relapses. By learning to spot early signs of mood changes and using coping strategies, individuals can take steps to prevent full-blown episodes or lessen their severity.

In summary, CBT’s inherent qualities make it extremely suitable for treating bipolar disorder. It is also very important to seek out an experienced therapist near you for treatment. They will be better equipped to provide the nuanced care required for managing this condition.

Conclusion

Dealing with bipolar disorder can be difficult. However, finding the right approach can lead to stability and a better quality of life. CBT is a widely respected and frequently used therapy for bipolar disorder. It offers a systematic and effective approach to managing the condition. It offers skills to handle mood swings and prevent relapses. When combined with the right medication and support from a therapist near you, CBT can be a key part of a complete treatment plan.

References:

David, D., Cristea, I., & Hofmann, S. G. (2018). Why cognitive behavioral therapy is the current gold standard of psychotherapy. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00004

Girelli, F., Rossetti, M. G., Perlini, C., & Bellani, M. (2024). Neural correlates of cognitive behavioral therapy-based interventions for bipolar disorder: A scoping review. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 172, 351–359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.02.054