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

Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition marked by mood instability and elevated suicide risk, particularly among U.S. veterans, with treatment nonadherence contributing to poor outcomes. Historically focused on lithium clinics and symptom management, bipolar disorder treatment began to shift in 1996 with the introduction of the Life Goals Program, an evidence-based self-management curriculum that emphasizes self-directed management and personal goal attainment. This case study features a U.S. male veteran with bipolar I disorder who completed 12 telehealth Life Goals sessions over 6 months. A multidisciplinary Veterans Affairs team conducted ongoing mood and risk monitoring, and self-report measures were collected at baseline, postintervention, and follow-up. Results showed reductions in depression and edginess, along with increased life satisfaction. The case illustrates the program's potential to support self-management and improve outcomes in individuals with bipolar disorder. While promising, future research-including randomized controlled trials-is needed to establish the program's broader efficacy.