Effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy on Emotional Instability and Impulsivity in Bipolar Patients

Introduction:Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic and disabling psychiatric disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of mania/hypomania and depression.Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) technique originally was developed for emotional dysregulation problems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy on emotional instability and impulsivity  in bipolar patients in Isfahan city.

Method:The present study was a Quasi-experimental research and conducted through the pre-test, post-test design with control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all bipolar patient referring to private psychiatric centers in Isfahan city from autumn and winter 1393. The research sample included 24 bipolar patients selected through convenience sampling. Based on their tendency to participation in the study, structural diagnostic interview and inclusion criteria,24  participation were selected and were assigned to the experimental and control groups randomly(each group=12 subjects). All participants complete the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (1986) and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (2004) as the pre-test, post-test and the follow up stage after a 45 days interval.Data was analyzed through ANOVA with repeated measures.

Results: The results of ANOVA with repeated measure indicated a significant and considerable decrease in the degree of emotional instability and impulsivity scores in the post-test of the experimental group participants. These results were maintained in the 45 days follow-up stage. 

Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, dialectical behavioral therapy can be used to reduce emotional instability and impulsivity In addition to medication in bipolar patients.

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