Psychosocial Treatments for Childhood and Adolescent Bipolar Disorder

Adjunctive psychosocial interventions are increasingly recognized as an important aspect of comprehensive treatment for bipolar disorder (BPD) in childhood and adolescence. Research in this area is relatively new, but psychosocial interventions being developed and tested include: multi-family psychoeducation groups for school-aged children with either BPD or depressive disorders; family-focused treatment, dialectical behavior therapy, and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy for adolescents with BPD; and child and family-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy for school-aged children with BPD. Preliminary evidence, where available, indicates that these interventions are feasible, well-received by families, and associated with positive outcomes. The continued study of adjunctive psychosocial interventions will help identify critical treatment ingredients that target specific areas of functioning and enhance overall treatment effectiveness for children and adolescents with BPD and their families.