bipolar disorder and family relationships

An abnormally high or irritable mood Inflated self esteem Decreased need for sleep Talkativeness Flight of ideas or racing thoughts Distractibility Increased activity or psychomotor agitation Excessive involvement in pleasurable

activity with potential for painful consequences

Five of the following symptoms during the same 2 week period nearly every day

Depressed mood most of he day every day Diminished interest or pleasure in most all

activities Significant weight loss or gain Insomnia or hypersomnia Fatigue or loss of energy Psychomotor agitation or retardation Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt

Reduced ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness

Recurrent thoughts of death and suicide A suicide attempt or a specific plan for

committing suicide

Family Focused Therapy (FFT)Psychoeducation – symptoms, course,

causes, and treatment of bipolar disorderCommunication enhancement training -

active listening, structured negative and positive feedback

Making positive requests for change in one another’s behavior

Problem focused Supportive Educational

Do be a collaborator Listen Be empathic Separate the child from the symptoms Avoid blame Be willing to refer

Don’t talk about the child in front of the child

Don’t ignore mood Don’t blame the parents for lack of

treatment success

Fewer episodes of relapse with FFT Fewer hospitalizations with FFT

Each patient had their own specific medication regime. It is difficult to determine if this variable impacted the outcome of the study

Not enough research has been done

What are the barriers to implementing family interaction

What changes in families who receive FFT Do the costs of FFT offset the cost of

rehospitalization