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Psychotherapeutic interventions in individuals at risk of developing bipolar disorder: a systematic review

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Thomas Meyer

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Abstract

Aim: Accumulating data show that patients with bipolar disorder (BD) experience substantial symptomatology months or years before full manifestation. Based on the need for early preventive interventions in BD as well as data suggesting effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions for BD, we aimed to review the evidence for psychotherapeutic treatments in help-seeking individuals considered at risk for BD (At-Risk-BD).Methods: Searching PubMed and PsycINFO, clinical trial registries and recently published systematic reviews, a systematic review was performed of psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic intervention studies in At-Risk-BD individuals.Results: Only three completed studies were identified, two of which were randomized trials (n = 77) and one was an open pilot study (n = 13). Two ongoing studies (projected n = 150 and n = 100, respectively) were found in trial registries. The available evidence suggests potential effectiveness of multi-family psychoeducational psychotherapy and family-focussed therapy for symptom reduction and prevention of BD conversion.Conclusions: Psychotherapeutic treatments are a reasonable starting point for At-Risk-BD subjects when symptom severity, distress and impairment are sufficiently significant to initiate treatment. Ongoing studies will further clarify the effectiveness and timing of psychotherapeutic interventions for At-Risk-BD individuals and whether or not they should be given alone or in conjunction with other treatments. Large multi-site studies with standardized procedures/manuals are needed to advance the field.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Pfennig A, Correll CU, Marx C, Rottmann-Wolf M, Meyer TD, Bauer M, Leopold K

Publication type: Review

Publication status: Published

Journal: Early Intervention in Psychiatry

Year: 2014

Volume: 8

Issue: 1

Pages: 3-11

Print publication date: 01/02/2014

Online publication date: 22/08/2014

Acceptance date: 15/07/2014

ISSN (print): 1751-7885

ISSN (electronic): 1751-7893

Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/eip.12082

DOI: 10.1111/eip.12082


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