Family-Focused Treatment vs. Individual Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Family-Focused Treatment vs. Individual Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Running Head: Family-Focused Treatment vs. Individual Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Family-Focused Treatment vs. Individual Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Amber Reddy
Ivy Tech Community College
Abstract
Over a nine month period, recently hospitalized bipolar, manic patients were assigned at random to participate in family-focused psycho-educational therapy or individually focused patient treatment. Along with mood-stabilizing medications, all patients received concurrent treatment. During the two year study, one year period of active treatment and one year period of post treatment, organized follow-up assessments were conducted at three month intervals. Patients in family treatment were found to be less likely to be re-hospitalized and experienced fewer mood disorder relapses than those in the individual based treatment. Although between the two groups, there was no difference in the likelihood of a first relapse.
Family-Focused Treatment vs. Individual Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
When it comes to bipolar disorder, is family-focused treatment better than individual treatment? According to the APA (American Psychological Association, it is.
During a two year clinical trial using patients recruited from inpatient services from three large hospitals in the Los Angela’s area, fifty-three patients were chosen at random. Criteria for the study required patients to have been between the ages of 18- 45, diagnosed with the bipolar disorder, currently on mood-regulating medication, able to understand and give written consent, and the participation of at least one family member. If patients were found to have evidence of an organic nervous disorder or had chronic alcohol or substance abuse or dependency, they would have been ineligible to participate in the trial. Out of the fifty-three patients randomly chosen, 60% were Caucasian, 23% were African
Running Head: Family-Focused Treatment vs. Individual Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Family-Focused Treatment vs. Individual Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Amber Reddy
Ivy Tech Community College
Abstract
Over a nine month period, recently hospitalized bipolar, manic patients were assigned at random to participate in family-focused psycho-educational therapy or individually focused patient treatment. Along with mood-stabilizing medications, all patients received concurrent treatment. During the two year study, one year period of active treatment and one year period of post treatment, organized follow-up assessments were conducted at three month intervals. Patients in family treatment were found to be less likely to be re-hospitalized and experienced fewer mood disorder relapses than those in the individual based treatment. Although between the two groups, there was no difference in the likelihood of a first relapse.
Family-Focused Treatment vs. Individual Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
When it comes to bipolar disorder, is family-focused treatment better than individual treatment? According to the APA (American Psychological Association, it is.
During a two year clinical trial using patients recruited from inpatient services from three large hospitals in the Los Angela’s area, fifty-three patients were chosen at random. Criteria for the study required patients to have been between the ages of 18- 45, diagnosed with the bipolar disorder, currently on mood-regulating medication, able to understand and give written consent, and the participation of at least one family member. If patients were found to have evidence of an organic nervous disorder or had chronic alcohol or substance abuse or dependency, they would have been ineligible to participate in the trial. Out of the fifty-three patients randomly chosen, 60% were Caucasian, 23% were African