None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Research in bipolar disorder has suggested that recovery from the illness consists of a three-pronged approach involving medication, information/education about the disorder, and having a plan or strategy to remain well. The current study combines the latter two psychosocial approaches to recovery in bipolar disorder into one intervention. It aims to examine the efficacy of an 8-session group psychoeducation program for adults recently diagnosed with bipolar II disorder that incorporates the development of an individualised comprehensive wellbeing plan across sessions.
Interventions
Participants allocated to the Wellbeing Group Program will receive an 8-session program (which will run over 8 weeks) as summarised below: Session 1: Introduction to the group process including introduction of group members, group requirements and a brief introduction to bipolar disorder, Wellbeing Plans and mood monitoring; Session 2: An understanding of bipolar disorder, identification of early warning signs and symptoms, identifying relapse signatures, and understanding suicide risk and stres
Participants allocated to the Wellbeing Group Program will receive an 8-session program (which will run over 8 weeks) as summarised below: Session 1: Introduction to the group process including introduction of group members, group requirements and a brief introduction to bipolar disorder, Wellbeing Plans and mood monitoring; Session 2: An understanding of bipolar disorder, identification of early warning signs and symptoms, identifying relapse signatures, and understanding suicide risk and stressors that tend to trigger episodes; Session 3: Early detection of episodes, medication adherence, the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse, and the identification of related wellbeing strategies and personal resources; Session 4: Dealing with stress and life pressures, including the use of mindfulness and relaxation strategies and the development of contingency plans; Session 5: Developing happiness and healthy lifestyle strategies, the incorporation of these into the Wellbeing Plan, and the final development of the Plan; Session 6: Involving the family/carers in the Wellbeing Plan; Session 7: Assessing progress, reviewing resources available, adapting Wellbeing Plans to recent developments; Session 8: Final review of Wellbeing Plans, evaluation of group process, addressing issues that have arisen. Each group session will run for approximately 90 minutes and the general structure of each session is as follows: 20-30 minutes – discussion about how participants have been over the previous week and how they have progressed with their Wellbeing Plans (based on what activities they were required to complete the previous week); 30-35 minutes – presentation and discussion of the current session material; 30-35 minutes – incorporation of the session material discussed into the Wellbeing Plan and setting activities to complete over the coming week. All material will be presented to group members through oral presentation (and where relevant, Powerpoint presentation) and group discussion. Participants will also receive a booklet containing relevant information pertaining to the material covered in each session.
Sponsors
University of New South Wales
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
20 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
(1) Primary diagnosis of bipolar II disorder received up to 18 months ago with confirmation of the diagnosis through a diagnostic interview prior to inclusion in the study; (2) Age between 20-70 years; (3) Able to attend the Black Dog Institute in Randwick, NSW for 8 program sessions over an 8-week period; and (4) Able to understand, read and speak English adequately.
Exclusion criteria
(1) Evidence of organic brain syndrome; (2) Taken part in a Wellbeing Group Program or developed a Wellbeing Plan individually with a psychologist in the past 18 months.
Outcome results
None listed