Manage Bipolar Disorder with CBT
Even with medication, the distress that results from manic or depressive episodes from bipolar disorder can make life difficult. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help people suffering with bipolar disorder to manage or eliminate the problems that arise from both manic and depressive episodes.
How We Use CBT to Treat Bipolar Disorder
The leading treatment for bipolar disorder is a combination of medication and psychotherapy. For people with bipolar disorder, CBT can be short-term and directly focused on eliminating or managing specific problems. Treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on:
Identifying problems and a person’s reactions to them
Replacing these reactions with more objective, balanced thoughts
Creating self-awareness and strengthened coping skills
What to Expect With CBT for Bipolar Disorder
The CBT process includes assessment, education, and methods for managing mood episodes or preventing recurrences.
1. Assessment
Take an assessment of the person's lived experience including discussing some of what has contributed to and/or exacerbated a manic or depressive episode. We will then review the positive and negative consequences of bipolar disorder being treated or not, to enhance motivation for change.
2. Education
Use the assessment, in combination with psych education, to help the person understand their experience through the lens of CBT.
3. Management
Based on your needs, you and your therapist will explore techniques that can help you manage both manic and depressive symptoms when they arise. Examples include:
Learning how to monitor your mood
Keeping an activity schedule
Techniques to help improve sleep
Money management
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques
Learning to produce realistic, more helpful thoughts
4. Prevention
You’ll learn skills that can help you notice early signs of mood episodes and develop better coping strategies, even when you’re not in therapy.
CBT can help most people with bipolar disorder to:
- Ease the distress of depressive and manic episodes
- Adhere more easily to a medication regimen
- Learn the early signs of episodes and prevent them
- Address issues that are commonly found along with bipolar disorder, like anxiety and depression, substance use, and sleep disturbances
- Learn lifelong coping strategies and skills that can be applied to all areas of life
Therapy Delivered With Respect, Empathy, and Compassion
We view all people as unique individuals who are doing the best they can to cope with the circumstances they are presented with. Although we are CBT specialists that help people manage their bipolar disorder using the most current and effective treatments, we also recognize how privilege, power, unequal access to resources, prejudice, racism, and other systemic issues affect a person’s lived experience. We approach each relationship with the respect, empathy, and compassion that all people deserve.
Our practitioners have also received additional training and supervision in culturally competent practices, and continue to do so as part of participating in our group.
There's no shame in seeking help, and there is always hope for healing.
