Family intervention with a case of bipolar I disorder with family conflict

Bipolar disorder is a major mental illness. Inherited treatment of bipolar disorder has been focused on pharmacological treatments. Though, psychosocial variables appear to be important antecedents of bipolar disorder, poor drug compliance, expressed emotion or faulty communication and life events play a vital role in relapse. Conflict is commonly seen in family due to this disorder, particularly when family member have less knowledge about illness or has poor coping capabilities. So, integrating psychosocial treatments with the widely used drug regimens could be more effective as various researches have shown the evidence. Family-focused treatment (FFT) with the goal to enhance family function through communication, problem-solving and coping skills training, psychoeducation, and relapse preparedness has known efficacy along with interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT). This social casework report illustrates the positive outcome of individual as well as family intervention using FFT and IPSRT with an individual with bipolar I disorder having strained interpersonal relationship with his family due to his illness.