TARGETING DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY INTERACTIONS AND HIGH EXPRESSED EMOTION IN THE PSYCHOSOCIAL TREATMENT OF BIPOLAR DISORDER

Expressed emotion (EE) is discussed in relation to bipolar affective d isorder, a major psychiatric illness involving fluctuating periods of mania and expression, High levels of BE among relatives of bipolar cli ents are conceptualized as reactions to the stress of adjusting to the acute illness period and the post-episode aftercare period. EE has an associated cognitive component involving certain styles of attributio n about illness in the client, and a behavioral al component involving aversive interaction patterns between the bipolar client and his or h el relatives. Family-focused psychoeducational treatment-consisting of psychoeducational about bipolar disorder, communication enhancement t raining, and problem-solving skills training-addresses high EE on the cognitive, affective and behavioral levels. A case study illustrates t he Approach. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.