For all these purposes, a relationship with a trusted psychotherapist or participation in a therapy group may be useful. They can use charts to track their mood fluctuations and learn what causes disturbances. Interpersonal therapy can help them cope with losses, fears of abandonment, social transitions such as a divorce or a job change, and conflicts about duties and expectations in daily life. Mania is often provoked by sleep loss and other disruptions of daily biological and social rhythms and routines. A technique called social rhythm therapy is designed to help patients cope with these situations.
Therapeutic groups are sometimes highly effective for bipolar patients.
The group constitutes a mutual support system, correcting individuals' misconceptions about the illness. They feel less isolated and preoccupied with their own troubles as they see that others have similar problems. They may become more hopeful as they see others begin to recover. Other members stir feelings that may provide insight into personal relationships. In controlled studies, group therapy has been found effective in reducing hospitalization and failed marriages among people with bipolar disorder.