Mapping the psychoanalytic literature on bipolar disorder: a scoping review of journal articles

Abstract

Objective: To provide a review of journal articles discussing clinical cases or vignettes of psychoanalysis or psychoanalytic psychotherapy of patients affected by bipolar disorder. Methods: A thorough search of journal articles was performed in five databases to identify studies published from 1990-2021. Results: Twenty-four articles were included in this review, comprising a total of 29 case reports. The most common theoretical approach adopted by the authors was “object relations.” Two main sets of clinical-theoretical considerations and recommendations emerge: the applicability of analytic treatment to patients with bipolar disorder – taking into account their analyzability and practical arrangements for conducting therapy – and theoretical speculations on the nature and development of the illness, as well as on the conceptualization of its different phases. Conclusion: Our findings reveal that there is some psychoanalytic literature providing insight into the psychological dynamics and treatment of patients with bipolar disorder. Elaboration of this literature may help improve our understanding and provide more accurate and comprehensive descriptions of the intrapsychic and interpersonal dynamics of these patients, yielding potentially valuable information for clinical and research purposes, particularly with regard to reducing interpersonal conflict, and increasing insight and engagement with lifestyle changes and other behaviors likely to promote health and stability.

Clinicians’ Emotional Reactions toward Patients with Depressive Symptoms in Mood Disorders: A Narrative Scoping Review of Empirical Research

“…Furthermore, it would be valuable to triangulate on both CT patterns and patients' mood states and symptoms by using multi-informant and multi-method approaches to increase the reliability of the results. Regarding the patient diagnosis, empirical research is needed to investigate CT responses experienced by clinicians involved in the care of patients with bipolar disorder, even-or especially-during the acute phases of the illness [121][122][123]. Finally, future studies should longitudinally investigate the specific weight of the interlocking elements of the clinician's reaction considering the personal and interpersonal characteristics of both clinicians and patients to better and deepen their understanding of what is inside CT, and of its diagnostic and/or therapeutic usefulness.…”