We often chalk up the mood swings of bipolar patients to their genes and biology. But a new study suggests that bipolar patients' beliefs about their mood swings may influence whether or not they can control them.
Researchers from the University of Manchester assessed patients' convictions about their condition as well as their symptoms and day-to-day functioning. They found that patients' thinking predicted their future mood swings even when their medical history had been controlled for.
Patients who held extreme notions about their moods (such as, "I have no control over whether I get excited when something good happens to me") developed more mood problems within the study's one-month time frame. In contrast, patients who felt their ups and downs were manageable experienced fewer symptoms and better social and work functioning.
The results suggest an immense potential for talk-based therapies. "Because there's a real role for medication in this disorder, patients can think it's a strictly biological problem," says coauthor Warren Mansell. "But when we work with clients, we see that they do have quite a bit of control."—Rebecca Searles
