Group psychotherapy with bipolar patients: a review and synthesis

Contrary to traditional thinking, a review of the recent literature has suggested that bipolar patients can be treated in homogeneous therapy groups in conjunction with concomitant lithium management. Important psychodynamic and interpersonal features are reviewed that have received empirical support and have enhanced our understanding of these patients. Goals for bipolar groups include educating patients on the nature of the disease, helping them learn ways of coping with its symptoms, and encouraging them to discuss relevant psychodynamic and interpersonal issues. To achieve these goals, therapists have used techniques involving education, support, and facilitation of group discussions. Further clinical and empirical work needs to be done to evaluate the effectiveness and process of these bipolar groups, particularly in the inpatient setting.