‘Between a rock and a hard place’: family members’ experiences of supporting a relative with bipolar disorder

Baruch, Ella; Pistrang, Nancy; Barker, Chris

doi:10.1007/s00127-018-1560-8

Cited by 10 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 75 publications

(140 reference statements)

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“…In addition, on measures of burden, Grenyer [35] reported significant improvements between post assessment and the 12-month follow-up, with medium effect sizes (Burden Assessment Scale, d = .45). These effects are consistent with the literature on psychological treatments for other psychiatric disorders, such as the meta-analysis of psychological interventions for caregivers of people with bipolar disorders (Burden, g = −.80) [36].…”

Section: Sample Sizesupporting

confidence: 88%

Efficacy of “Family Connections”, a program for relatives of people with borderline personality disorder, in the Spanish population: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

et al. 2020

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Background: Patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) experience significant affect regulation difficulties that cause serious consequences in their work, emotional, and social environments. This dysfunctional pattern also produces great suffering and a heavy burden on their relatives. Fortunately, some studies show that treatment of relatives of people with BPD begins to be important in the patients' recovery and in improving family dynamics. One of the treatments that has obtained the most empirical support is Family connections (FC). This 12-session program is an adaptation of different Dialectical Behavior Therapy strategies. To test the efficacy of FC, five uncontrolled clinical trials were conducted, with pre-post treatment and follow-up assessments. The results of these studies and subsequent replications showed an improvement in family attitudes and caregiver burnout. Our research team adapted FC for delivery in the Spanish population. We intend to test the efficacy of this program versus a treatment as usual condition. Moreover, we aim to test the efficacy of this program and study its effectiveness (in terms of participants' acceptance). This paper presents the study protocol. Methods: The study is a randomized controlled trial. The participants will be recruited in a Personality Disorders Unit and randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions: Family Connections group (FC) or Treatment As Usual (TAU). Primary outcome measures will be the BAS and FAD-GFS. Secondary outcomes will include DASS-21, FES, GS, and QLI. Participants' treatment acceptance and degree of satisfaction will also be measured. Participants will be assessed at pre-, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. Intention to treat and per protocol analyses will be performed.

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Section: Sample Sizesupporting

confidence: 88%

Efficacy of “Family Connections”, a program for relatives of people with borderline personality disorder, in the Spanish population: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

et al. 2020

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“…In order to prevent such situations, many partners, patients, and healthcare professionals have expressed the desire for better communication between them, and a shared crisis plan. Shared agreement may reduce anxiety and prevent crises from escalating [ 32 ].…”

Section: Improving Couple Functioning When One Of the Partners Has Bipolar Disordermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Attitudes to adopt towards bipolar persons is a matter of great concern among partners [ 32 ]. Patients may experience efforts of their partners to prevent relapse as too intrusive, or respond angrily to suggestions about illness management.…”

Section: Improving Couple Functioning When One Of the Partners Has Bipolar Disordermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Not all partners may find, on the sole basis of their own experience, the best way to communicate with the patient. It was found that a certain level of emotional disclosure could be useful and help motivate behavior change [ 32 ]. Mrs. A. reported that having had a frank discussion with her daughter about her vomiting behavior made their relationship more intimate, which positively impacted the bond with her husband.…”

Section: Improving Couple Functioning When One Of the Partners Has Bipolar Disordermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To summarize, experiences of partners reveal a certain number of unmet needs concerning communication with professionals, information given to them, and specific education especially on how to adapt their relational style to increase patient receptivity to their input [ 13 , 32 ].…”

Section: Improving Couple Functioning When One Of the Partners Has Bipolar Disordermentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Impact of Bipolar Disorder on Couple Functioning: Implications for Care and Treatment. A Systematic Review

2021

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If there is an abundant literature on the impact of bipolar illness on the family and/or caregivers of patients, few studies have addressed its impact on marital relationship and couple functioning. Uncovering information relating specifically to this topic may be particularly relevant due to the unusually high divorce rate among individuals with bipolar disorder. We therefore conducted a systematic literature search to evaluate the existing data on bipolar disorder and marital issues, with a special focus on the help and support that can be provided by mental health professionals in this regard. We identified quantitative studies with pre-defined outcomes as well as qualitative investigations trying to understand the experiences of partners. A total of 27 articles were included in the review. The literature was found to capture the impact of bipolar disorder on partners as well as on the marital relationship itself or the children. Bipolar illness has a negative impact on the lives of partners including self-sacrifice, caregiver burden, emotional impact, and health problems. This negative impact can be aggravated by a lack of care and a lack of information from health personnel. The negative impact on the relationship includes volatility in the relationship, stigmatization, dissatisfaction with sexual life, and lower rates of childbearing. Negative impacts are likely to favor disease relapses for the patient. Children may also be negatively impacted. However, the illness may sometimes have positive impacts such as personal evolution, strengthening relationship, or new hope and perspectives. Based on these findings, the interventions of mental health professionals should be aimed at minimizing the negative impacts while favoring the positive ones.

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A smartphone application of “Family Connections” to increase the use of skills and improve psychological symptoms in relatives of people with borderline personality disorder: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Fernández-Felipe

Guillén

Castilla

et al. 2022

Internet Interventions

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‘Between a rock and a hard place’: family members’ experiences of supporting a relative with bipolar disorder

Cited by 10 publications

References 75 publications

Efficacy of “Family Connections”, a program for relatives of people with borderline personality disorder, in the Spanish population: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Efficacy of “Family Connections”, a program for relatives of people with borderline personality disorder, in the Spanish population: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

The Impact of Bipolar Disorder on Couple Functioning: Implications for Care and Treatment. A Systematic Review

A smartphone application of “Family Connections” to increase the use of skills and improve psychological symptoms in relatives of people with borderline personality disorder: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

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