Bipolar Disorder

Overview

Bipolar disorder is primarily medication-managed (mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics). Psychotherapy is adjunctive — psychoeducation, prodrome monitoring, and circadian/sleep regulation reduce relapse.

First-line treatments

• CBT — Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  Adjunctive CBT for bipolar — prodrome monitoring, sleep, schemas about mania.

• IPT — Interpersonal Psychotherapy

  IPSRT (Interpersonal & Social Rhythm Therapy) — stabilizes daily rhythms to reduce relapse.

Also consider

• MBCT

  Adjunct for residual depressive symptoms; cautious with intensive practice during mood instability.

• DBT

  When emotion dysregulation and impulsivity persist between episodes.

Cautions

• Therapy is not a substitute for mood-stabilizing medication — coordinate with prescriber.
• Watch for therapy-induced sleep disruption (intensive trauma work) triggering mood episodes.

Worked cases

• Bipolar II disorder

  Recurrent depression with prior hypomanic episode missed by prior providers; psychotherapy adjunct to mood stabilizer.

Related tools

• Assessments

Related worksheets

• Weekly Mood & Energy Tracker
• Sleep Hygiene Checklist
• Behavioral Activation Planner