Family-focused treatment for adolescents with bipolar disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Research has begun to elucidate the optimal pharmacological treatments for pediatric-onset bipolar patients, but few studies have examined the role of psychosocial interventions as adjuncts to pharmacotherapy in maintenance treatment. This article describes an adjunctive family-focused psychoeducational treatment for bipolar adolescents (FFT-A). The adult version of FFT has been shown to be effective in forestalling relapses in two randomized clinical trials involving bipolar adults.

Methods

FFT-A is administered to adolescents who have had an exacerbation of manic, depressed, or mixed symptoms within the last 3 months. It is given in 21 outpatient sessions of psychoeducation, communication enhancement training, and problem solving skills training. We describe mod

SUBMITTER: Miklowitz DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2754177 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature