Self-distancing and perspective-broadening training for Bipolar
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot study of a brief self-distancing and perspective-broadening training package for Bipolar Disorder
IRAS ID
161512
Contact name
Emma Hill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East Anglia
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 30 days
Research summary
When we are caught up in emotions, it is by stepping back (or decentering) that we are able to see the situation from another perspective. Individuals with emotional disorders, however, can have difficulties in being able to do this (Fresco, Segal, Buis & Kennedy, 2007).
Research has shown that improving an individual’s ability to step back from their emotions and take perspective is possible and can have beneficial effects on depressive symptomatology (Self-Distancing and Perspective-Broadening [SD-PB] training: Hill, Dunn, Hoppitt & Dalgleish, submitted). The SD-PB training package involves two techniques: 1) stepping back from situations using mental imagery (building a mental picture of the situation and changing the distance to it) and, 2) reframing situations using perspective-broadening reappraisals (giving new meanings to situations). The training package trains these SD-PB techniques using an individual’s memories and every day events. The fortnightly training comprises of two one-to-one sessions and daily homework for a week in-between. The SD-PB training package is aimed at improving an individual's ability to step back from, and put a new meaning to emotional events that take place in their lives.
The prospective pilot study aims to investigate whether the SD-PB training package reduces symptomatology and improves these abilities in individuals who experience both depressive and manic episodes (Bipolar Disorder [BD]).
BD has a cumulative lifetime prevalence ranging from 1.5-2% across Europe (Pini et al., 2005) and is treated with moderate success using CBT (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2014; see Gregory, 2011). However, ‘moderate success’ is considerably low compared to other mental health problems and CBT can be time-consuming, expensive, and cognitively demanding (requiring a high level of functioning of one or more cognitive functions). Accordingly, BD may be one of the emotional disorders in greatest need of novel and evidence-based treatments.
REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
15/WA/0271
Date of REC Opinion
1 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion