TY - JOUR
T1 - Experiences of a transdiagnostic anxiety cognitive behaviour therapy group for people living with bipolar disorder : a qualitative study
AU - Perich, Tania
AU - Kakakios, Kelly
AU - Conti, Janet
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Australian Psychological Society.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Background: Participant experiences of transdiagnostic bipolar disorder treatment groups has been largely under-explored. The present study aimed to explore the experiences of people living with bipolar disorder who participated in a pilot study of a transdiagnostic cognitive behaviour therapy for comorbid anxiety. Methods: Ten participants (five male) diagnosed with bipolar disorder took part in an interview at the completion of the programme. Participants were asked open-ended questions about the programme and their experiences of participation in the group. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Key themes identified included: (1) "Content and techniques" applications outside of the group", where participants reported using the content learnt for the management of anxiety and other symptoms, including co-occurring conditions; (2) 'Being part of the group" "feeling normal", where participants reported feeling supported within a group that was specific to bipolar disorder; and (3) "Group structure" enabling process, content and research", where participants reported that structural elements, such as participation in research, added meaning to their experience. Conclusions: This research provides evidence for the value of transdiagnostic approaches in the treatment of bipolar disorder, with participants reporting that they applied the skills learnt to anxiety, substance use and bipolar disorder-specific symptoms.
AB - Background: Participant experiences of transdiagnostic bipolar disorder treatment groups has been largely under-explored. The present study aimed to explore the experiences of people living with bipolar disorder who participated in a pilot study of a transdiagnostic cognitive behaviour therapy for comorbid anxiety. Methods: Ten participants (five male) diagnosed with bipolar disorder took part in an interview at the completion of the programme. Participants were asked open-ended questions about the programme and their experiences of participation in the group. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Key themes identified included: (1) "Content and techniques" applications outside of the group", where participants reported using the content learnt for the management of anxiety and other symptoms, including co-occurring conditions; (2) 'Being part of the group" "feeling normal", where participants reported feeling supported within a group that was specific to bipolar disorder; and (3) "Group structure" enabling process, content and research", where participants reported that structural elements, such as participation in research, added meaning to their experience. Conclusions: This research provides evidence for the value of transdiagnostic approaches in the treatment of bipolar disorder, with participants reporting that they applied the skills learnt to anxiety, substance use and bipolar disorder-specific symptoms.
UR - https://hdl.handle.net/1959.7/uws:63492
U2 - 10.1080/13284207.2022.2049442
DO - 10.1080/13284207.2022.2049442
M3 - Article
SN - 1328-4207
VL - 26
SP - 269
EP - 276
JO - Clinical Psychologist
JF - Clinical Psychologist
IS - 3
ER -