Treating Bipolar Disorder
By: Ellen Frank, PhD
Course Description
This innovative manual presents a powerful approach for helping people manage bipolar illness and protect against the recurrence of manic or depressive episodes. From Ellen Frank, the developer of interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) and a leading researcher and clinician in the field, the book vividly details each phase of the treatment and marshals clear evidence for its effectiveness. Lucidly written, timely, and evidence based, this is an invaluable contribution to the biopsychosocial treatment literature.
Providing all needed tools for implementing IPRST, the book takes the clinician step by step from screening, assessment, and case conceptualization, through acute therapy, maintenance treatment, and periodic booster sessions. Interventions are grounded in the latest knowledge about the neurobiology, etiology, and course of bipolar disorder, and focus on addressing key potential pathways along which new affective episodes develop. Demonstrated are proven ways to stabilize moods by improving medication adherence, building coping skills and relationship satisfaction, and shoring up the regularity of daily rhythms or routines, even in times of stress. Patients are also given the opportunity to grieve for what Frank terms “the lost healthy self” and come to terms with how the disorder has altered their lives, thereby reducing denial and increasing acceptance of the lifelong nature of the illness. Throughout, rich case examples illustrate strategies for tailoring treatment to each patient’s individual needs and current symptomatology. Special features of the volume include reproducible assessment tools and a chapter on how to overcome specific treatment challenges.
The first complete guide to this promising therapeutic approach, this highly practical book belongs on the desks of practitioners in clinical psychology, psychiatry, social work, and related mental health fields.
About Authors
Ellen Frank, PhD is Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She received her doctorate in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh in 1979. Dr. Frank’s work focuses on the treatment of mood disorders, with particular emphasis on the prevention of recurrence. She is the author of over 350 journal articles, books, and book chapters.
Learning Objectives
1. Understand that persons who suffer from Bipolar Disorder need more than medications to treat their conditions.
2. Recognize the critical role that family members of patient with Bipolar Disorder play in the successful treatment of manic-depressive illness.
3. Appreciate that the treatment plan must be described and discussed with the patient in terms of needs established during the assessment phase.
4. Recognize that both moderate exercise and healthy weight management through nutritional consultation are likely to result in improvement of treatment outcomes and to anchor other social rhythms.
Course Contents
Post Test