Abstract

COLOM, Francesc. Psycho-education, the Lithium of Psycho-therapies. Some Considerations Regarding its efficiency and Implementation in Daily Practice. rev.colomb.psiquiatr. [online]. 2011, vol.40, suppl.1, pp.147-165. ISSN 0034-7450.

The physician-patient relationship must evolve towards greater interactivity and the promotion of pro-activity. For such a purpose, it is indispensable to have therapeutic educational programs for patients. Prognosis of many non-psychiatric pathologies i.e., cardiopathies, breathing diseases, diabetes, asthma) clearly improves with such programs and the same happens with psychiatric pathologies, such as bipolar disorder. The first psycho-educational programs were focused on information, while current approaches have a much more therapeutic focus, including work on the disease significance, identifying personal triggers as well as prodromes, managing symptoms and overcoming problems of adherence to pharmaceutical drugs. Today, psychoeducation is part of the routine of bipolar treatment, suitable to the physician's model. Psycho-education has likewise demonstrated its efficiency in the prophylaxis of all sorts of two and five-year relapses, remarkably reducing episode duration, hospitalizations and adherence problems. Besides, as time passes, its efficiency is maintained, something that does not occur with other sorts of psycho-therapies. Furthermore, its implementation saves health resources. However, this type of programs is recommended as soon as possible, in the course of the disease. This article introduces a series of evidences and practical considerations on the implementation of psycho-education, which in the bipolar disorder psychotherapy has the same role than lithium in pharmacotherapy.

Keywords : Bipolar disorder; pychoeducation; adherence; prodroms; prevention.

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