Estrutura das sessões de uma intervencąõ analítico-comportamental em grupo para pessoas diagnosticadas com transtorno bipolar

Abstract

Bipolar Disorder (BD) is characterized by mood swings that can vary from maniac, hippomaniac to depressive or a mix of all. Such psychiatric circumstances can impact several areas of an individual's life, from professional to interpersonal. Taking into consideration the need for psychological inter-vention for this population, an analytical behavioral group intervention program was developed for people diagnosed with BD, using Psych education strategies and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Therapeutic relationship was also used for analysis and intervention, considering the Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP). Besides bringing awareness to participants about the characteristics of BD and about the importance of the treatment, it was also relevant to help individuals learn how to deal with their feelings without trying to control them, defining life values and acting accordingly, both in the treatment context and natural environment The group had 5 participants and treatments were done in 10 weekly sessions of approximately 90 minutes each, conducted by two behavioral analysts therapists. The objective of this article was to describe the elaboration and application processes of the program, with a focus on the strategies used in each session and in the evaluation done by the participants about the format of the intervention. The majority of the strategies and metaphors used were developed and adapted by the researcher in partnership with other members responsible for the work. The flexibility provided by the ACT resources indicated that the therapy does not limit itself to the use of strategies and metaphors, as the principles they are based on can be broadened to the most different formats of therapy and show the ability to develop a behavior pattern. The adoption of FAP was essential for the decisions made in relation to the intervention planning so that they were coherent with the behavior shown by each participant. This condition favored the direct conditioning and the quality of the relationship among group members. The evaluation done by the participants and the research team made it possible to consider that the strategies and format used in the program were adequate to meet the group's needs, as well as to develop a pattern to deal with issues related to BD. Furthermore, considering the complexity of an intervention based on ACT and participants needs, it is possible to believe that an intervention with a higher number of sessions could be beneficial, allowing for a work with a more specific focus in each ACT aspect (acceptance, defusion, self as context, present moment, values and commitment). Such circumstance can help with important behavior conditioning in intrapersonal and interpersonal dimensions for each participant, making it possible to develop healthy relationships and a better quality of life.