Can a Comprehensive Treatment Program Help People with Mood Disorders Function Better in Daily Life?

What you need to know

• People with mood disorders often struggle with basic daily activities, even when their symptoms are under control
• A new comprehensive treatment program called AWARE aims to improve daily functioning through personalized interventions
• The treatment focuses on five key areas: daily activities, mood symptoms, social support, physical health, and cognitive function

The Challenge of Daily Living with Mood Disorders

Picture trying to complete simple daily tasks like preparing meals or keeping your home organized when you’re feeling well, but still struggling with motivation and energy. This is the reality for many people with bipolar disorder and major depression, even when their mood symptoms are relatively stable. Research shows that these individuals often have difficulty performing basic activities of daily living (ADL) at a level equivalent to someone 30 years older than them.

A New Comprehensive Approach

The AWARE treatment program takes a “360-degree” approach to improving functioning. Rather than focusing solely on mood symptoms, it addresses multiple areas that affect daily life:

• Ability to perform daily activities like self-care and household tasks
• Management of mood symptoms and medication
• Social support and relationships
• Physical health including exercise and metabolic health
• Cognitive function and sleep patterns

What makes this approach unique is that it’s highly individualized. A team of mental health professionals works with each person to identify their specific challenges and create a targeted intervention plan.

How the Program Works

The treatment spans 6 months and includes 6-14 sessions. It begins with a comprehensive assessment of the person’s functioning across all key areas. This includes observing them perform daily activities in their own home environment - a crucial element that provides real-world insights into their challenges.

The team then works with the individual to set 1-3 main goals based on their most significant areas of difficulty. Family members can be involved in the treatment process when appropriate. Progress is evaluated at the halfway point, and the program concludes with a detailed plan for maintaining improvements.

Measuring Success

The primary measure of success is improvement in the person’s ability to perform daily activities, assessed through structured observation. The study also looks at:

• Overall functioning and disability
• Quality of life
• Stress levels
• Cognitive performance
• Physical health markers

What This Means for You

If you or someone you care about has bipolar disorder or depression with ongoing functional difficulties, this research suggests that:

• Problems with daily functioning are common and not a personal failure
• A comprehensive treatment approach may be more helpful than focusing on symptoms alone
• Having your functioning assessed in your own environment can provide valuable insights
• Involving family members in treatment can be beneficial
• Improvements in daily functioning are possible with targeted intervention

Conclusions

• Traditional treatment focusing only on mood symptoms may not be enough to help people function well in their daily lives
• A comprehensive approach addressing multiple areas of functioning shows promise
• More research is needed to determine the long-term benefits of this type of intervention