EMDR in the treatment of bipolar disorder

Bipolar Disorder has long been recognised as correlated with developmental trauma, although the relationship has been unclear. Bipolar Disorder is frequently co-morbid with CPTSD, ADHD, OCD and substance abuse and dependence. What is clear in clinical practice is that pharmacological treatment is rarely sufficient to move beyond broad mood stabilisation so that episodes of mood stabilisation are prevented or functionally minimised. This means that people experiencing Bipolar Disorder, and their support networks, remain sensitive to environmental factors that influence mood stability. This practically results in restrictive routines to manage stimulation, stress, and to protect circadian patterns or less than optimal compliance with treatment. It also means that psychopharmacology is frequently adjusted, and polypharmacy is required, and this has its own implications. So far, psychological interventions in Bipolar Disorder have demonstrated some efficacy when focused on regulating circadian patterns through sleep and stimulus management (Social Rhythm Therapy), and also in managing interpersonal dynamics (Interpersonal Therapy and Family Therapy) to reduce interpersonal and environmental conflict and focus on adjustment to change, that is frequently disruptive. There has been no significant efficacy found for treatment using CBT or other 3rd wave CBT therapies.  In this presentation, Bipolar Disorder will be viewed with an AIP model lens as a Pathological Memory System (Hase) with recommendations for protocols to target past trauma, trauma networks associated with previous illness episodes and internal (interoceptive) experiences of illness that trigger illness episodes. This view might be applied to other serious mental illness and is a basis for further discussions.

Conference

English

Gillian Maddock

Maddock, G. (2024, May). EMDR in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Presentation at the EMDRAA Conference, Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia