Gaps and limitations of psychological interventions for bipolar disorders

To highlight gaps or limitations in applying evidence-based psychological therapies as an adjunct to medication in the management of bipolar disorders.

General and specific gaps in knowledge or perceived limitations were determined by the authors and published examples were identified illustrating these potential barriers to the use or application of adjunctive therapies.

Research on the benefits of psychological therapies in bipolar disorders has progressed dramatically in the last decade. There are some uncertainties that need to be further investigated. These can be broadly classified as: for whom should therapy be provided, what therapy and when should therapy be commenced. The latter can be seen from the perspective of both current mental state as well as length of history and number of recurrences. Other issues frequently highlighted by researchers in the field relate to mediators and moderators of therapy effects.

Gaps in our knowledge about therapy for bipolar disorder mirror those that exist whenever new treatments, including medications, are introduced into routine clinical practice. Many of these key questions relate to differences between efficacy and effectiveness of adjunctive therapies, the long-term durability of any benefits and mechanisms by which therapies achieve their effects. These can be explored using currently existing scientific paradigms.