Although unavoidably,
There are diseases that

We have to learn to live together,

We can control, though we cannot destroy.
We can control better as we get to know and understand
We can gain power and feel better as we control

One of these diseases is Bipolar Affective Disorder or Bipolar Mood Disorder. It is called bipolar because during the episode of illness it is either a state of extreme enthusiasm, energy, over confidence, or a picture of extreme grief, despair, unconfident and low energy. From time to time, a mixed picture of the characteristics of both periods can be seen. These episodes are often accompanied by distracting thoughts, which can lead to weary and damaging consequences for the person and the environment.

The good news is that these episodes can be controlled by treatment, and as long as the treatment continues, the person with the disease is likely to be able to survive in the usual course. The annoying part is the possibility of relapse of attacks.

A genetically susceptible biology can easily be affected by external factors, and external factors that are compelling for some people can be a trigger for the emergence of a new ape in these people. For example, seasonal changes, such as spring and autumn months, deterioration of sleeping patterns, problems in relationships, conflicts, difficult living conditions, loneliness, stress factors may invite a new attack.

The addition of the diagnosis of a disease to these and the labeling it brings, the separation of work, family, social life changes, lost and struggle to adapt to them. So, the need to bear what the disease brings and trying to live with it. This is not an easy process, of course, and from time to time, the difficulties sometimes set the stage for new attacks. That is, the weight of other loads added when trying to lift a burden.

On the other hand, it is quite possible to spend many years without any problems with the recognition of the illness, the recognition of the sleep-wake rhythm, the social triggers, and the control of the appropriate drug treatment.

At this point, Interpersonal Social Rhythm Therapy or IPSRT accompanied by drug treatment helps us. Because as many patients with bipolar disorder and the

people who around them clearly say, using only medication is not enough. In order to control this disease and to prevent the emergence of new episodes, there is a need for a therapy in which the lifestyle and other stress factors are regulated and the disease is learned.

Interpersonal Social Rhythm Therapy was developed by Prof. Dr. Ellen Frank and Western Psychiatric Institute (US) employees in 1990s to be applied to patients with bipolar disorder of the Interpersonal Relief Therapy. It is a proven psychotherapist in this group of patients who has been investigated and is especially protective against new attacks.

Interpersonal Social Rhythm Therapy aims to make the patient aware of the fact that the interpersonal problems experienced by the patients and the deterioration of their sleep and social rhythms trigger the attacks and thus facilitate the treatment processes in their lives.

The social timing irregularities such as sleeping and waking time and meal time also affect the regular functioning of the body due to time in the negative direction. Social events and stressful situations may disrupt this order; the biological rhythm of the body is also affected by the disruption of this order, which can adversely affect the mental state.

Especially today, our sleeping and eating times are not based on the sunrise and sunset; but rather affected by flexible working hours, delayed mealtimes, skipped meals, etc. Adjusting our eating habits according to TV programs also affect our biological rhythm in the negative direction. These impairments in the biological rhythm can be limited by causing attention and emotional difficulties in a person with no illness, although for those with diagnosis or tendency of bipolar disorder, they can trigger a new episode.

During Interpersonal Social Rhythm Therapy, sleeping-waking times, social activity times and patterns, which may be triggers of the attacks, are examined and their effects to the disorder are studied. The social rhythm is tried to be arranged by the adjustments to be made. The patient is informed about the symptoms of the disease, the effects of the drugs and side effects, the course of the disease and the importance of regular use of the medicine.

Since stress is an important trigger, it is also important that the patient understands and establishes the stress factors that trigger the attacks. Interpersonal Psychotherapy also studies one or more of the problem areas of grief, conflicts, role transitions, and lack of

interpersonal skills / competencies. Thus, it is possible to reduce the attacks by working on these areas and making appropriate arrangements in the social rhythm.

When there is a loss of the "healthy self" sense or a loved one in the period after the diagnosis of the disease, the mourning is assessed.

Especially at the onset and during attack, the patient may have more dispute with the surroundings, and therefore, the relationships may deteriorate in the long run. It can also lead to conflicts and changes that the disease brings. In this case, interpersonal conflicts are focused.

Divorce, the separation of children from the family, pensions, birth, starting work, a role change as a result of promotion, etc., can also change the person's social and biological rhythm. Disease-related anxieties can also be a force to adapt to this situation. In these situations, role changes are studied as stress factor.

As a result, the use of IPSRT in combination with drug therapy positively affects both the patients and their relatives and the treatment process in controlling bipolar disorder.

Wish it would be transferred to more patients by more mental health personnel...