Clara Pirani, Medical reporter
The Australian
August 24, 2007

AUSTRALIAN researchers have developed a treatment that halves the number of manic episodes experienced by people with bipolar disorder.

The team from the Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria says it is the first study that conclusively proves patients can control their mania.

"This is the first time that we are aware of in the world that we've been actually able to reduce manic episodes," said lead researcher David Castle. "We are very excited about the program's success."

Half of the 84 trial participants were given medication alone. The second group took medication but also underwent weekly therapy sessions that taught them how to recognise the early symptoms of a manic or depressive episode, and steps to prevent the event.

Bipolar disorder, which affects more than 100,000 Australians, is caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain and results in episodes that can cause hallucinations, delusions, inappropriate behaviour and suicidal thoughts.

"After 12 months, those on the intervention program had half the number of relapses as the control group who received medication but no therapy," Professor Castle said. "Those in the intervention group experienced no manic episodes."

About 40 per cent of people taking medication alone will experience at least one episode a year.

Early signs of an episode could include a decrease in appetite, sudden trouble with sleeping and irritability.

Participants were taught strategies to prevent the onset of an episode, including increasing medication, resting, avoiding stress and alerting a support network of family and friends.

"Volunteers kept a diary system that allows them to have specific plans to address episodes and collaborative partners to help them," Professor Castle said.

Former police officer Tania Lewis was 23 when she first had a manic episode. "I began to experience delusions. I had friends who lived overseas and I became utterly convinced that they had been involved in an earthquake and killed," she said.

"I was hospitalised but while I was in hospital I believed that my room was bugged by ASIO, so I escaped that night and ran around the streets of Geelong in my nightie, thinking that someone was chasing me."

Ms Lewis was prescribed medication but continued to experience manic episodes until she volunteered for the therapy trial.

"I haven't had a major episode since I began the program. This year, there was a time when I nearly had an episode but I slowed my life down and took action and managed to avoid it.

"The treatment changed my life."

Special report in Weekend Health in The Weekend Australian tomorrow