Investigation of the Effects of Family-Focused Therapy in the Early Period of Bipolar Disorder and Psychotic Disorder

Investigation of the Effects of Family-Focused Therapy in the Early Period of Bipolar Disorder and Psychotic Disorder

Family-focused therapy (FFT) is a comprehensive therapy approach applied to individuals and their families. In the present study, the researchers aimed to investigate the effects of family-focused therapy (FFT) in the early stages of psychotic disorder and bipolar disorder, regarding the psychiatric symptomatology, family communication skills, coping capacities, family burden and quality of life. A total of 34 young people diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD) and 17 psychotic disorders (PD) will be included in the study.

In this study, the researcher's primary goal is to investigate the effects of family-focused therapy sessions on young people aged between 15 and 21. Subjects were referred to an early intervention center for psychotic and bipolar disorders. The target population of the study consists of the patients in remission after the episode of the illness.

Therapy sessions will be conducted in line with the manual for "Family Focused Therapy for High-Risk Adolescents and Young Adults for Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis" revised by Miklowitz et al. in 2018. FFT will be completed in nine sessions. The first module of the program consists of three sessions, which consists of group psychoeducation for the patients and families. The second and third modules also include three sessions in each to teach communication skills and problem-solving skills in individual therapy sessions including patients and their families. Sessions will be held once a week and completed in nine weeks.

Within the scope of this program, non-therapist clinicians will evaluate the participants' symptoms, psychosocial functioning, insight, and treatment compliance before and after the therapy sessions.

There are only a few previous studies investigating the effects of family therapy in early stages of bipolar disorder and psychotic disorder. According to the literature, no prior study compares the effects of FFT between BD and PD populations. This study is important in terms of developing effective strategies for management of psychosocial difficulties in early phases of BD and PDs.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Not be in an active phase of the illness
• Able to comply with the interviews
• The total score of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ≤ 21 points.
• The total score of the Young Mania Rating Scale ≤ 14 points.
• At least one family member with the capacity to read and write in Turkish

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neurological disorders and serious physical disease that affect cognitive functions
• The symptoms due to substance use or a medical illness
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Comorbid alcohol and substance abuse (except nicotine)
• Co-morbid psychiatric disorders except disruptive behavior disorders and anxiety disorders