Bipolar disorder describes a group of mood disorders that are characterized by extreme changes in mood. An individual with this condition may range between states of heightened energy and feelings of grandiosity, known as mania, and states of extremely low energy, marked by fatigue and feeling worthless or depressed. This disorder can affect every aspect of an individual’s life and make daily tasks difficult or impossible to keep up with. In this case, an individual with bipolar disorder may seek medical and therapeutic interventions to help them live daily life with the disorder. Occupational therapists (OTs) play an important role in helping individuals manage their lifestyles and workloads, while learning to living with the disorder. On this page, we’ll explore how Occupational Therapy may benefit individuals with bipolar.
To understand how OTs can help individuals with bipolar, we should first understand how bipolar affects cognitive function. Even after the disorder is managed by medication, environmental changes, and therapy, it’s common for individuals to feel like they still aren’t thinking or remembering as clearly as they could.
This is typically because cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and executive function can be impaired by bipolar disorder over time. Individuals with the disorder may experience trouble remembering details like the name of an acquaintance or have trouble paying attention during class or work. Higher-level cognitive functions, known as executive functions, can also be impacted. Some examples of these are planning and problem-solving. Therefore, complex tasks like making plans with friends, making time to finish school work, cleaning a bedroom, and maintaining hygiene may feel difficult.
The mental health impacts of psychiatric disorders are well-known, however, the cognitive impacts are sometimes overlooked. The addition of cognitive remediation therapy addresses these cognitive skills for a well-rounded treatment plan.
OTs can provide cognitive remediation therapy, which consists of practicing cognitive skills through exercises and activities. With an OT, individuals can practice skills using digital cognitive exercises, worksheets, and role-playing daily situations in individual or group settings. The following aspects of cognitive health may be worked on in Occupational Therapy:
An OT can help their client work on the cognitive skills needed to manage their daily responsibilities, behaviors, and habits. This can include:
An OT can help their client work on the cognitive skills needed to manage their daily responsibilities, behaviors, and habits. This can include:
OTs can give the individual’s family tips for how to best support them. Having family support can help to achieve the best results after therapy.
Bipolar disorder can lead to impairments in certain cognitive skills, such as memory, attention, and executive function. In this case, OTs can provide cognitive remediation, and work with patients on exercising these cognitive skills.
The Towers of Hanoi
Planning, strategy
Decipher
Reasoning, strategy
Basketball in NY
Strategy, inhibition
Heraldry
Visual working memory
I Remember You!
Visual and verbal memory
Restaurant
Working verbal memory
Private Eye
Visual scanning, sustained attention
Find Your Way!
Attention, working memory
Two-Timing
Divided attention
Bipolar is a complex disorder and may require in-depth, multifaceted solutions to achieve the most effective management of the disorder. A combination of interventions for bipolar disorder, including Occupational Therapy, may help individuals address all aspects of the condition and achieve lasting symptom management and high quality of life.
Pulling from our decades of experience in Cognitive Therapeutics, we aim to help you enrich your practice through the use of digital and paper tools.
Pricing + Offers
© 2023 HappyNeuron is a Product of Humans Matter
