A comprehensive approach to the treatment of bipolar disorder, this book details an innovative program of interventions that augments rather than replaces pharmacotherapy. Topics covered include patient and family education, early symptom detection for the prevention of relapse, methods for the enhancement of treatment compliance, strategies for the remediation of subsyndromal symptoms of depression and mania, and ways to identify and resolve psychosocial and interpersonal problems. Each chapter provides session-by-session instructions, as well as patient assignments and clear and concise directions for the implementation of each intervention. "This book integrates pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy in the management of bipolar illness." --G.A. Fave, Bologna. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. Karger 1997. "In what is probably the best organized book that I have ever encountered, the authors cover every aspect of bipolar disorder and its treatment....Basco and Ruch write in clear prose and keep technical jargon to a minimum. Bipolar patients are often well educated and intelligent individuals, and both patients and their family members alike should find this book intelligible and helpful in coping with the symptoms of the disorder. Patients and family members will also find the list of mental health organizations and the educational material in the appendix very useful. Replete with references and good illustrations and engagingly written, this is a book that will aso be welcomed by both therapists and researchers interested in the biology of bipolar affective disorders." --Edward S. Matalka in Science Books and Films "Over the nearly 50 that have passed since Cade's discovery of the therapeutic potential of lithium salts, the biomedical model of understanding and treating bipolar affective disorders has dominated the field. However, a significant number of people suffering from this classic psychiatric illness do not respond to standard medications and an even larger number do not adhere to prescribed therapies. Ample evidence also suggests that psychosocial factors such as stressful life events, personality profiles, and social support may further mediate or moderate the clinical course and treatment outcomes of bipolar disorder. Therefore, development of a practical and coherent psychosocial therapy specifically tailored to the needs of patients with bipolar disorder is long overdue. Basco and Rush have accomplished this in fine fashion in their text Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Bipolar Disorder . This book describes a system of therapy intended to complement and enhance pharmacotherapies and includes attention to self-monitoring of symptoms, improving pharmacotherapy adherence, problem solving, and applying cognitive and behavioral strategies to help manage depressive and hypomanic symptoms. The book is well-suited for use by the full range of mental health professionals and may be particularly helpful to nonmedical therapists who work in tandem with prescribing psychiatrists. I highly recommend!" --Michael E. Thase, M.D. "This is an excellent which will revolutionize our thinking about the treatment offered to clients with bipolar disorder. Monica Basco and A. John Rush are to be applauded on producing the first textbook that provides systematic and practical guidance on how to undertake cognitive behavior therapy with clients with this very serious and debilitating mental disorder. The authors draw on their rich clinical and research experience to give a detailed description of the techniques and strategies that may benefit this client population. Most importantly, they explain with remarkable clarity how to offer an integrated psychological and pharmacological package of care to individuals with bipolar disorder." --Jan Scott, MD, FRCPsych, Professor of Psychology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Monica Ramirez Basco, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, author, and researcher at the National Institutes of Health. She currently serves as Assistant Director for Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Broadening Participation at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Dr. Basco is an internationally recognized expert in cognitive-behavioral therapy and a founding fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. A. John Rush, MD, is Professor and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. His work has focused on the diagnosis and psychotherapeutic, psychopharmacological, and somatic treatment of major depressive, bipolar, and other mood disorders. He has authored 10 books and over 400 journal articles. Dr. Rush's internationally recognized work has received numerous awards. Most recently, his research has focused on longer-term disease management programs, including multistep treatment algorithms for bipolar and major depressive disorders. 1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Bipolar Disorder: An Overview 2.