Psychoeducation for bipolar

What is psychoeducation?

Psychoeducation for people with bipolar involves learning about the condition to help improve your understanding of the condition, ensure you get better support and treatment, and reduce the risk of relapse.

These self-management strategies can be delivered in different ways, such as individual sessions or group workshops, or through resources like leaflets, handbooks and online guides.

Benefits of psychoeducation for bipolar

Psychoeducation can be useful for people with bipolar and their families, helping them to better understand and cope with the challenges of living with the condition.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) uses evidence to guide the NHS on effective and safe care. 

NICE recommends psychoeducation for people with bipolar disorder, especially group sessions as they have been proven to help reduce relapses and hospital stays.

Psychoeducation for bipolar disorder should be available through NHS mental health services. Either your GP or your mental health team should be able to provide details and refer you.

Things to think about

While psychoeducation is generally helpful, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Information overload – too much information can feel overwhelming
• Misunderstandings – information that isn’t clear or properly explained may lead to confusion
• Relevance – general information might not address individual needs, making it less effective

Personalised, accessible and clear materials are key to making psychoeducation as helpful as possible.