Assessment and treatment of sleep problems in bipolar disorder-A guide for psychologists and clinically focused review.

Abstract

Sleep problems are highly prevalent in bipolar disorder (BD) and constitute an important therapeutic focus in this population: They are highly impairing and distressing, are an area of subjective importance to consumers, and likely play a role in predicting/triggering mood episodes. The aim of this review is to orient psychologists and psychotherapists to current research relevant to their clinical practice with people with BD, including (a) the prevalence and presentation of sleep problems, (b) the impacts and correlates of impaired sleep, and (c) the relationship between sleep problems and mood symptoms (including the predictive/triggering role of sleep in BD mood relapses). Detailed recommendations for assessment and cognitive-behavioural intervention strategies for use in BD are described. It will be concluded that although some sleep problems and comorbidities require interdisciplinary collaboration, a range of evidence-informed strategies can be effectively and appropriately applied by clinical psychologists and psychotherapists.