Bipolar Disorder: Continued Research and Interventions
This is an evidence-based synthesis paper I developed from 15 primary research articles from 2021 to 2024 as well as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). Utilizing these studies, I summarized the current research and understanding of Bipolar Disorder I and II (BD I and II), and I tracked the new intervention methods used within therapy and families with high-risk youth for BD I or II. BD has been conceived as a fluctuation between mania and depression; however, based on the current research BD is found as chronic mood instability or energy dysregulation. Other aspects of research found that BD psychosis could be correlated to early childhood traumatic stress and that comorbidity greatly affects the remission progress for individuals. While there is needed future replicated research on these findings, researchers have found that BD is a spectrum of disorders. Further research on the interventions of BD has shown that the interventions that involve family-focused therapies, cognitive behavioral therapies, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapies are more effective when combined than when applied separately. Interventions that are tailored to the individuals’ needs, and that include monitoring mood cycles and testing their resilience are further ways that researchers can seek better outcomes for individuals. One of the limitations in the studies I reviewed was the lack of generalizability. The researchers were often limited by the participants in their studies; either by the WEIRD effect, by only having binary gender participants, or by lack of participants. Further research should continue in examining how the outcomes of combined interventions can reach more individuals with BD. Furthermore, there should be an emphasis on the interventions that start early in the families with high-risk youth and how there is an importance in further understanding the cycles of moods of BD.
PSY 499, Senior Capstone
Erin Mueller
Siefke 100
3 – 3:30 PM