The Importance of Facilitating Adherence in Maintenance Therapy for Bipolar Disorder

Abstract

Treatment goals for patients with bipolar disorder differ depending on the phase in which the patient presents. During maintenance treatment, the goal of therapy should be for patients to become stable and improve their quality of life. However, the most challenging barrier to effective treatment of bipolar disorder is patient nonadherence with clinician-recommended therapy. A strong treatment alliance between patients and clinicians to provide good social support can help patients adhere to treatment.