How psychologists treat bipolar disorder

Faith

Hi guys,

My reasons for asking this are complicated, but could anyone give me a run down of how psychologists might treat a person with severe bipolar disorder, MDD or just serious suicidal tendencies? This is purely for research, I'm not looking for medical advice or anything like that. It's all purely theoretical .

Valmont

I think that most psychotherapy would supplement the use of mood stabilisers like lithium. I've read about psychoeducational treatment being used for bipolar disorder and also cognitive therapy and I remember reading a paper about the importance of family focused treatment too. Hope that helps.

George Orwell 1982

You'll find everything you need to know in the Handbook of Adult Clinical Psychology by Professor Alan Carr

http://www.eason.ie/look/9781583918548/Handbook-of-Adult-Clinical-Psychology/Alan-Carr

Gibs

George Orwell 1982 wrote: »

You'll find everything you need to know in the Handbook of Adult Clinical Psychology by Professor Alan Carr

http://www.eason.ie/look/9781583918548/Handbook-of-Adult-Clinical-Psychology/Alan-Carr

The Alan Carr book is a very comprehensive textbook so it's probably more suited to clinicians.

Here's a good summary of the kind of approach a psychologist will use in order to treat bipolar disorder. (you need to scroll down a bit)

It's important to note that psychological interventions on their own are not generally regarded as sufficient in order to treat bipolar disorder. A medication regime is also required.

JuliusCaesar

Lots of research being done by Prof Steve Jones in the Spectrum Centre, attached to the Uni of York (or is it Lancaster?)

Faith

Thanks so much! It's actually just background reading for an acting role, so I think Gibs's link is easiest .

Valmont

You could just act perfectly normal and then say your character is currently undergoing a combined treatment of lithium and cognitive therapy. No acting involved!

The Black Oil

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/minipax.cfm?mini_ID=11

Don't know how accurate this is, but it might help.

steddyeddy

Valmont wrote: »

I think that most psychotherapy would supplement the use of mood stabilisers like lithium. I've read about psychoeducational treatment being used for bipolar disorder and also cognitive therapy and I remember reading a paper about the importance of family focused treatment too. Hope that helps.

Is lithium still used? I had a friend in the states with cyclotimia and she was on sodium valproate.

Azure_sky

Psychology nerd here. I believe anti psychotics and C.B.T would not be uncommon.

Valmont

steddyeddy wrote: »

Is lithium still used? I had a friend in the states with cyclotimia and she was on sodium valproate.

Interesting, I haven't heard of that one. Lithium is still the standard pharmacological treatment for bipolar disorder although I'm sure there are many other drugs in development and being tested.

steddyeddy

Valmont wrote: »

Interesting, I haven't heard of that one. Lithium is still the standard pharmacological treatment for bipolar disorder although I'm sure there are many other drugs in development and being tested.

Maybe its just in the states but I knew people there who were serioulsy maniac depressive (in their own words), who took sodium valproate and anti depressants sertraline ( I know that anti depressant as its given to apes, non human apes that is to treat depression).

Valmont

Apes are treated for depression?! I'm guessing it's captive apes right?

steddyeddy

Valmont wrote: »

Apes are treated for depression?! I'm guessing it's captive apes right?

Yes only the captive apes, as are parrots, dolphins and the higher marine life!

hotspur

steddyeddy wrote: »

Yes only the captive apes, as are parrots, dolphins and the higher marine life!

Is there an ape / parrot / dolphin set of criteria for depression? Have there been any studies done on the efficacy of it?

steddyeddy

hotspur wrote: »

Is there an ape / parrot / dolphin set of criteria for depression? Have there been any studies done on the efficacy of it?

Good question, there is a loose set of criteria which varies from species to species, apes tend to get very aggresive , practice odd sexual behavious and maybe self harm. Parrots are generally given antidepressants for jealousy (attacking a owners new boyfriend) or depression (pulling out feathers). The higher marine life in captivty will experience depression ( not eating or extreme aggression).

Anti depressants and sometimes anti psychotics were administered to these creatures before guidlines came in, it was often the case of safety for the zookeeper/owner in some cases as these animals are highly dangerous as it is.

On a side note the chimp in florida that deformed its owner was on anti depressants.

There is nothing like the dsm for animals however

JuliusCaesar

Valmont wrote: »

Apes are treated for depression?! I'm guessing it's captive apes right?

The wild ones just won't attend the GP - it's the stigma, you know. :P

As regards pharmaceutical treatment... Amn't a psychiatrist, maybe Sam34 can tell us.

JuliusCaesar

Valmont wrote: »

Apes are treated for depression?! I'm guessing it's captive apes right?

The wild ones just won't attend the GP - it's the stigma, you know. :P (Sorry!)

As regards pharmaceutical treatment... Amn't a psychiatrist, maybe Sam34 can tell us.