Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Treating Depression in People With Bipolar I Disorder

Participants will attend 18 supportive therapy sessions over 5 months. Supportive psychotherapy focuses on reflecting and expressing feelings about current life issues. Participants are supported and comforted when coping with difficult situations, depression, mood swings, or anger.

Participants will attend 18 CBT sessions over 5 months. CBT for depression targets depressive symptoms through a range of different treatments. This includes psychoeducation about the disorder and educating patients about the role of thoughts and behaviors in the maintenance of depressed mood. CBT also includes mood and activity monitoring, activity scheduling, and teaching participants to critically investigate and challenge negative thoughts and core beliefs that help to maintain depression.