Citation

Reilly-Harrington NA, Knauz RO. Cogn. Behav. Pract. 2005; 12(1): 66-75.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S1077-7229(05)80041-0

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article describes the application of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to the treatment of rapid cycling bipolar disorder. Between 10% and 24% of bipolar patients experience a rapid cycling course, with 4 or more mood episodes occurring per year. Characterized by nonresponse to standard mood-stabilizing medications, rapid cyclers are particularly in need of effective, adjunctive treatments. Adjunctive CBT has been shown to improve medication compliance and reduce relapse rates in patients with bipolar disorder. However, no published trials to date have examined the application of CBT to the treatment of rapid cyclers, with only a single case study existing in the literature. We address challenging clinical problems in the treatment of patients with rapid cycling bipolar disorder and include strategies for managing frequent mood fluctuations, medication compliance, sleep hygiene, lifestyle regularity, mood elevation, suicidality, and comorbidity. A case example is included to illustrate the treatment approach. Copyright © 2005 by Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; bipolar disorder; psychotherapy; depression; lifestyle; stress; lithium; comorbidity; mood disorder; review; circadian rhythm; substance abuse; mental disease; life event; tricyclic antidepressant agent; priority journal; behavior therapy; cognitive therapy; psychopharmacotherapy; problem solving; patient compliance; carbamazepine; mania; sleep waking cycle; mood stabilizer; rapid cycling bipolar disorder