Family focused therapy is more effective than crisis management for preventing relapse after a bipolar episodeA randomized study of family focused psychoeducation and pharmacotherapy in the outpatient management of bipolar disorder.

Miklowitz DJ, George EL, Richards JA, et al. A randomized study of family focused psychoeducation and pharmacotherapy in the outpatient management of bipolar disorder. Arch Gen Psych 2003; 60: 904–12.MiklowitzDJGeorgeELRichardsJAet alA randomized study of family focused psychoeducation and pharmacotherapy in the outpatient management of bipolar disorder.Arch Gen Psych200360904-12Q For outpatients with a recent bipolar episode, does family focused therapy reduce relapse and improve adherence to drug treatment compared with a less intensive crisis management intervention?

For correspondence: Professor D J Miklowitz, Deprtment of Psychology, Dvaie Hall, Campus Box 3270, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC 27599-3270; [email protected]

Sources of funding: National Institute of Mental Health, USA; National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, Chicago, USA; John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundationm Network on the Psychology of Depression, Chicago, USA.