By Gillian Ellison

Published at 15:43, Wednesday, 13 January 2010

PEOPLE with bipolar disorder are being asked to take part in a new therapeutic trial.

The trial is part of a research project being undertaken in Cumbria into two treatments for bipolar disorder.

The two group therapies work in different ways – ‘Psychoeducation’ covers topics that aim to help people better understand and manage their disorder, while ‘Peer Support’ allows participants freedom to discuss any of the issues they feel are most important to them.

Participants will be randomly allocated to one of the two groups and will receive weekly therapy sessions for six months, with follow up meetings and telephone calls to see how effective these therapies have been.

Both groups will be led by two therapists and a service user facilitator, and if proven to be successful this trial will strengthen the case to make these treatments more widely available in the NHS.

The project is being delivered by the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s Learning Network, in partnership with the Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research based at Lancaster University.

Group therapy is a popular treatment for people with bipolar disorder and it provides an opportunity to share experiences and receive support from others who are in a similar situation.

The first groups are scheduled to start in Barrow and people are needed to take part.

Further groups will be set up in Carlisle later in the year.

If you would like more information about the trial, or are interested in taking part please contact Sian Newman, research assistant, on 01524 594829 or email sian.newman@cumbria.nhs.uk

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk