Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Nonremitted Patients with Bipolar Disorder

• Published in: CNS neuroscience & therapeutics 2012-02, Vol.18 (2), p.133-141
• Main Authors: Deckersbach, Thilo, Hölzel, Britta K., Eisner, Lori R., Stange, Jonathan P., Peckham, Andrew D., Dougherty, Darin D., Rauch, Scott L., Lazar, Sara, Nierenberg, Andrew A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Affective disorders; Anxiety; Attention; Biological and medical sciences; Bipolar disorder; Bipolar Disorder - psychology; Bipolar Disorder - therapy; Central nervous system; Cognitive ability; Cognitive therapy; Cognitive Therapy - methods; Cognitive-behavior therapy; Depression; Disorders of higher nervous function. Focal brain diseases. Central vestibular syndrome and deafness. Brain stem syndromes; Emotions; Female; Humans; Immunomodulators; Male; Medical sciences; Meditation - methods; Meditation - psychology; Mental depression; Middle Aged; Mindfulness; Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy; Mood; Multiple sclerosis and variants. Guillain barré syndrome and other inflammatory polyneuropathies. Leukoencephalitis; Nervous system; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; Original; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Prevention; Problem solving; Residual symptoms; Social interactions; Treatment Outcome; Well being
• ISSN: 1755-5930; 1755-5949
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-5949.2011.00236.x

SUMMARY Introduction: Bipolar disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of depression and/or mania along with interepisodic mood symptoms that interfere with psychosocial functioning. Despite periods of symptomatic recovery, many individuals with bipolar disorder continue to experience substantial residual mood symptoms that often lead to the recurrence of mood episodes. Aims: This study explored whether a new mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for bipolar disorder would increase mindfulness, reduce residual mood symptoms, and increase emotion‐regulation abilities, psychological well‐being, positive affect, and psychosocial functioning. Following a baseline clinical assessment, 12 individuals with DSM‐IV bipolar disorder were treated with 12 group sessions of MBCT. Results: At the end of treatment, as well as at the 3 months follow‐up, participants showed increased mindfulness, lower residual depressive mood symptoms, less attentional difficulties, and increased emotion‐regulation abilities, psychological well‐being, positive affect, and psychosocial functioning. Conclusions: These findings suggest that treating residual mood symptoms with MBCT may be another avenue to improving mood, emotion regulation, well‐being, and functioning in individuals with bipolar disorder.