Life Goals Collaborative Care for a Veteran With Bipolar Disorder: A Case Illustration

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Mental Health Treatment
• Self-Management Interventions

Background:

• Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition with mood instability and high suicide risk, particularly in U.S. veterans.
• Treatment nonadherence significantly worsens outcomes for individuals with bipolar disorder.
• The Life Goals Program, introduced in 1996, offers an evidence-based self-management curriculum focused on personal goal attainment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the telehealth Life Goals Program for a U.S. veteran with bipolar I disorder.
• To assess the program's impact on mood symptoms, risk, and life satisfaction.
• To illustrate the potential of self-management programs in improving outcomes for bipolar disorder.

Main Methods:

• A case study of a U.S. male veteran with bipolar I disorder.
• Completion of 12 telehealth Life Goals sessions over 6 months.
• Ongoing monitoring by a multidisciplinary Veterans Affairs team, including mood and risk assessment.
• Collection of self-report measures at baseline, postintervention, and follow-up.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions in depression and edginess were observed.
• Increased life satisfaction was reported by the participant.
• The case demonstrates positive outcomes associated with the Life Goals Program.

Conclusions:

• The telehealth Life Goals Program shows potential for supporting self-management in individuals with bipolar disorder.
• The program may improve mood stability and overall life satisfaction.
• Further research, including randomized controlled trials, is necessary to confirm broader efficacy.