Overcoming Self-Stigma in Bipolar Disorder: An Intervention

Abstract

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that carries a great deal of stigma. The purpose of this dissertation was to develop an intervention to address self-stigma in patients living with bipolar disorder. An in-depth literature review was conducted to learn how stigma and self-stigma (or internalized stigma) impact the lives of this population. A careful study of existing interventions for stigma and self-stigma in mental illness was conducted, taking careful note of which approaches were effective. With this knowledge, Overcoming Self-Stigma in Bipolar Disorder was developed. A panel of doctorate-level experts in the fields of stigma, self-stigma, and bipolar disorder analyzed the intervention and provided extensive feedback on its strengths and possible areas for improvement. This feedback was incorporated into what is now the final product. What resulted from this process was a manualized intervention designed specifically for use in groups of people with bipolar disorder. The intervention was built using components and inspiration from various existing interventions and theoretical approaches. The hope is that this intervention will be made available to clinicians for use in various settings in order to improve the lives of those with bipolar disorder.