Early-onset bipolar disorder is defined as onset of mania before age 18. It is a highly treatment-refractory form of the disorder, marked by frequent recurrences, substantial symptom burden between episodes, social and academic dysfunction, and high suicide risk. This Workshop describes an outpatient program of family-focused treatment (FFT) as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy for bipolar patients 12 to 17-years-of-age. A brief summary of empirical findings on the efficacy of FFT is given, followed by the discussion of key therapeutic objectives and techniques used to assist families in monitoring mood and identifying early warning signs of mood cycles, implementing strategies to prevent full recurrences, promoting consistent sleep/wake habits, encouraging medication adherence, distinguishing bipolar mood swings from normal developmental mood instability, and developing effective family communication and problem-solving skills. Participants gain a strong sense of how to administer FFT and how to adapt the techniques to their particular settings.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010: 2:30 PM-5:30 PM