Cognitive therapy for bipolar depression: A pilot study

Objective: While the efficacy of cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT)for the t reatment of acute unipolar major depression is well-documented, there is al most no data evaluating its utility in the treatment of bipolar depression. This pilot study compares the efficacy of CBT combined with mood-stabilize r pharmacotherapy for bipolar depression and CBT alone for unipolar depress ion. Method: A matched-case control design was used to evaluate outcomes followi ng 20 sessions of CBT in II depressed bipolar patients and I I matched recu rrent unipolar depressed control subjects. Results: Bipolar depressed patients achieved similar levels of reduction in depressive symptoms following CBT, as did the unipolar depressed group. Ho wever, on measures of more pervasive dysfunctional attitudes, bipolar patie nts did not improve to the same degree. Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that CBT warrants further investi gation as an effective psychosocial intervention for depression in bipolar patients already receiving ongoing mood-stabilizing pharmacotherapy.