Psychoeducation Versus Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Bipolar Disorder

Objective: To compare the impact of cognitive -behavioral therapy to that of properly structured psycho education on the 'illness burden' and functional outcome of bipolar disorder, in combination with pharmacotherapy. Interventions: Subjects will be randomized to either a "control" treatment group cosisting of 6 sessions of group psycho-education (topics include illness recognition, treatment approaches, and monitoring and coping strategies; based on manual by Bauer \& McBride, 2002: Life Goals Phase I) or they will be randomized to the "experimental" treatment group: 20 sessions of individual Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Bipolar Disorder (topics include limited psychoeducation, activity scheduling/behavioural interventions, cognitive techniques, including thought monitoring and challenges to dysfunctional assumptions and other coping techniques; based on manual by Lam et al., 1999: Cognitive Therapy for Bipolar Disorder)