Psychiatric and psychosocial rehabilitation path in a 44-year-old man with bipolar disorder and cluster B personality dysfunctional traits

Abstract

In order to improve patients’ empowerment during hospitalization, a bio-psycho-social model of prevention and rehabilitation program has been implemented in an italian acute inpatients’ Unit of Psychiatrics. the protocol applied a cognitive-behavioral group technique promoting the active participation of users in their treatment path right from the earliest stage of illness, aiming at greater awareness and improvement during hospitalization. a 44-year-old man, diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 2 and narcissistic personality disorder, was hospitalized for 17 days in 2019 in the Unit of Psychiatrics of Foundation irccs ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. he could be considered a successful example of a psychiatric and psychosocial rehabilitation program, beginning form early interventions on acute phases and cognitive behavioral therapeutic groups, until hospital discharge and admission at the Foundations’ Day care center Unit. improvements were measured using the health of the Nation Outcome scale, the Brief Psychiatric rating scale and the recovery star scale, adopting a three-step monitoring. the combined rehabilitation strategy changed the patient’s compliance to the path positively. We actually observed the significant increase in the quality and quantity of his relationships, as well as more appropriate modes of communication and greater control and awareness of emotions. the group intervention may also have had a positive impact on mood. the cognitive-behavioral intervention during the hospitalization aims to intervene on the patient’s awareness of the need for care already in the acute stage of disease, promoting a continuity of care in collaboration with the outpatient clinical services.