Evaluation of a group intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy for individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder

Abstract

Bipolar Affective Disorder (BD) is a serious chronic condition, defined by the occurrence of manic, hypomanic, and depressive episodes that increase probability of emotional, physical, and social complications. Researches have been focusing on interventions that result in better therapeutic outcomes, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which aims at increasing psychological flexibility. This study presents a case study on an ACT-based intervention and its outcomes on psychological flexibility, manic, hypomanic and depressive symptoms, and quality of life in three participants diagnosed with BD. Intervention was group-based with five sessions, performed in a Psychological Clinic. Results were obtained via Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale, and WHOQOL-bref, as well as video and audio recordings for qualitative data. Results demonstrated symptoms reduction, improvement in physical and social domains of the quality of life inventory and increase in psychological flexibility. Considering the limitations of the study, such as the small sample and single group intervention, we concluded that ACT was successful on improving BD diagnosed participants’ repertoire.

Keywords: bipolar disorder; acceptance and commitment therapy; group intervention.