Addressing existential and psychosocial issues in bipolar disorder group therapy may improve outcome. This approach deserves further thorough investigation.

Aims:To compare the effectiveness of a manualised group cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) programme for people with bipolar disorder (BPD) and major depressive disorder (MDD).Method:In addition to treatment as usual (TAU), 17 people with BPD and 17 matched controls with MDD completed 8 or 12 sessions of twice weekly group CBT, followed by 6 booster sessions, held at monthly intervals. Participants completed the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis 1 Disorders, Clinician Version (SCID-1) and the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA) prior to therapy. They completed the Beck Depression Inventory - II (BDI), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE), the World Health Organisation Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQoL - BREF) and the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS) before and after therapy and at the final follow-up session. The BDI and BAI were also completed at each group session.Results:Both groups showed statistically and clinically significant improvement on the BDI and BAI after treatment and at follow-up. Both groups showed a significant improvement on the psychological health sub-scale on the WHOQoL-BREF.Conclusions:Manualised group CBT leads to a reduction in the symptoms of depression and anxiety in people with both BPD and MDD and helps improve their perceived quality of life.Declaration of interest:None.