Clinical Research Directory

Enhancing Resilience and Quality of Life in Bipolar Disorder Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic and recurrent mood disorder characterized by alternating episodes of mania, depression, or mixed states, interspersed with periods of remission. These episodes can severely impair interpersonal relationships, occupational functioning, and overall quality of life. In 2019, approximately 40 million people worldwide were diagnosed with BD. BD is a lifelong chronic condition despite pharmacotherapy and lifestyle changes. Traditional psychiatric care has primarily focused on symptom reduction and relapse prevention, often overlooking broader psychosocial aspects such as interpersonal functioning and life satisfaction. Recently, recovery has come to include living a meaningful life despite illness-related challenges. Psychological resilience has gained prominence within this recovery framework. It refers to the capacity to adapt positively to adversity, shaped by both internal traits and external supports. Core elements include effective coping, adaptability, and recovery from stress, which support functional outcomes in mental illness. Given the strong link between stress and relapse in BD, resilience is thought to play a critical role in illness trajectory. Research consistently shows that individuals with BD have lower resilience than healthy controls, and resilience is associated with fewer depressive symptoms and better quality of life. Importantly, resilience is modifiable and can be enhanced through psychosocial interventions. Studies highlight the benefits of resilience-building programs in reducing depressive vulnerability and improving life satisfaction and emotion regulation. Among these, CBT effectively promotes cognitive and functional recovery in BD by targeting maladaptive thought patterns and building adaptive coping skills. Despite growing evidence, few CBT-based interventions target resilience in individuals with BD. However, resilience is linked to key psychosocial competencies such as problem-solving, self-efficacy, assertiveness, and self-management. Based on this, the current study implemented a CBT-based Psychological Resilience Enhancement Program designed to strengthen adaptive coping and functional adjustment in individuals with BD. Considering the substantial personal and societal burden of BD, enhancing psychological resilience is a critical therapeutic goal. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a CBT-based intervention on psychological resilience and quality of life in individuals with BD.

Psychophysiological Responses to Six Single-Session Self-Regulation Interventions in a Female Adult With ADHD and Stabilized Bipolar Disorder

This study aims to explore how six short, 15-minute self-regulation techniques affect the body and brain in a female adult with ADHD and stabilized bipolar disorder. The techniques being tested include: * Aerobic exercise * Controlled breathing (cyclic sighing) * Aromatherapy with lavender essential oil * Listening to specific music (Solfeggio 528 Hz) * Virtual reality relaxation with forest imagery * Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping One session of quiet sitting with eyes open serves as a comparison. The participant will attend one 15-minute session per week for each technique. Before and after each session, the researchers will measure: * Heart rate and heart rate variability * Stress levels using Subjective Units of Distress Scale * Mood using a questionnaire * Blood pressure * Brain activity using EEG * Memory performance with a simple test (N-back) * Pain sensitivity The goal is to understand how these short, non-invasive techniques influence both physiological and psychological responses. Sessions are safe, short, and designed to involve minimal risk. The findings may help guide future research on relaxation and exercise strategies for people with ADHD and bipolar disorder.