Family Focused Treatment for Patients with Bipolar Disorder in Turkey: A Case Series

Abstract

Family-focused therapy (FFT) is a 9-month, 21-session structured psychoeducational treatment for bipolar disorder. Several US-based studies have documented its efficacy as adjunctive to medication for depression stabilization and relapse prevention. However, FFT has never been applied outside of the United States. The objective of this case series is to explore the applicability of FFT in a non-Western culture. Ten patients with bipolar disorder and their family members attended the 9-month FFT as adjunctive to pharmacotherapy in an outpatient specialty clinic in Izmir, Turkey. Patients improved in Global Assessment of Functioning Scores and Clinical Global Impression Scores from pre- to posttreatment. Case studies are given, which illustrate the differences between Western and non-Western families coping with bipolar disorder. FFT was easily applied to a Turkish sample with few changes in format or focus. Adaptations included substitution of oral for written therapeutic tasks or homework assignments. Randomized controlled trials are needed to test the clinical effectiveness of FFT and other psychosocial interventions in non-Western cultures.

Family‐Focused Therapy for Bipolar Disorder: Reflections on 30 Years of Research

“…The 21‐session protocol required few adaptations of format or content for Turkish patients or families. The 10 study patients showed improvements in global functioning and Clinical Global Impression scale ratings over 1 year (Ozerdem, Oguz, Miklowitz, & Cimilli, ). In a nonrandomized trial involving 137 patients with BD in Italy, Fiorillo et al.…”

Thematic review of family therapy journals 2009

“…A critical study published in 2009 provided preliminary evidence that family‐focused therapy for bipolar disorder is acceptable to Turkish clients and may also be effective in a Turkish context. In a single group outcome study Ozerdem et al (2009) found that the approach was acceptable with minor modifications and effective in improving overall adjustment.…”

Şizofreni Hastaları ve Yakınlarının Öznel Yaşam Kalitesini Yordayan Faktörler: Bir İzlem Çalışması

“…Aile yap›s›n›n bu de¤iflimlere göre esneyebilmesi gerekir. Ülkemizde s›n›rl› mali olanaklar ve insan kaynaklar› nedeniyle yap›land›r›lm›fl aile giriflimleri çok az merkezde uygulanmakta-d›r (56). Oysa aile odakl› grup uygulamalar› flizofreni hastalar›n›n ve ailelerinin yaflam kalitelerini olumlu yönde etkileyebilir.…”