Treating Bipolar Disorder: A Clinician's Guide to Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy. By E. Frank. (Pp. 212; $35.00; ISBN 1593852045.) Guilford Press: New York. 2005.

This single-author volume by Ellen Frank, Ph.D. is a welcome addition to the growing literature on the psychological and behavioural treatment of bipolar disorder. The writing throughout the volume is cogent, coherent, and comprehensive. Dr Frank effectively describes the treatment process called interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT), which is an empirically validated psychosocial treatment for bipolar disorder. The focus of the treatment is characterized by an integrated understanding of the psychobiology of bipolar disorder. Clinicians are directed to assist individuals with bipolar disorder in the resolution of interpersonal problems and the maintenance of regular social rhythms, which facilitates prevention of future episodes of illness. In chapter one, Dr Frank details a typical course of illness for an individual with bipolar disorder. Dr Frank alerts the reader to the usefulness of applying IPSRT in this context. The author suggests that the interested clinician become familiar with interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for major depressive disorder as a basis for learning IPSRT. In chapter two, Dr Frank explicates the development of the integrative model. The social zeitgeber theory attempts to combine life events, social rhythm disruption, and early genetic, biological, and physiological vulnerability in an understanding of onset and recurrence in manic depressive illness. The social zeitgeber schema is the foundation upon which IPSRT was developed. Several empirical studies have supported the role of life events leading to social rhythm disruption, which precipitated episodes of mania and depression. In chapter three, Dr Frank reviews the empirically supportedpharmacological andpsychosocial treatments for bipolar disorder. At the time of initiation of IPSRT, the clinician ensures that the pharmacotherapy is appropriate to the condition and that the patient is well informed about the medications that are prescribed for the condition. As with any psychosocial and pharmacological intervention in major mental disorder, it is incumbent that close family members or others inone’s social networkbe informed and able to provide support for the intervention. In chapter four, Dr Frank characterizes IPSRT as a therapy which is aimed at preventing new episodes of illness. In interpersonal therapy (IPT), four key problem areas are defined: (1) grief or loss, (2) social or role transition, (3) interpersonal disputes, and (4) general interpersonal deficits. A fifth problem area, grief for the loss of the healthy self, is identified in IPSRT. The author outlines a set of procedures or treatment modules in IPSRT including an assessment module, a psycho-education module, a social rhythm stabilization module, and an interpersonal problem area module. The clinician is directed to involve the patient in each phase of treatment. In chapter five, correct diagnostic assessment is emphasized with careful attention to comorbid conditions. Common co-occurring conditions with bipolar disorder include significant panic and anxiety symptomatology, alcohol and substance abuse and dependence, and accompanying post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The PTSD, often overlooked in the diagnostic assessment, may be a consequence of the untreated bipolar disorder, and often includes experiencing PTSD-like symptoms as well as emotional detachment and dissociative states. In addition, subsyndromal eating disorders occur commonly in the course of bipolar disorder as well as co-morbid attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD). In the next five chapters, Dr Frank explains the use of the interpersonal inventory and the Psychological Medicine, 2006, 36, 567–571. f 2006 Cambridge University Press Printed in the United Kingdom