Working with Shame, Guilt, and Self-Stigma in Bipolar Disorder

Shame may be a daily experience for those living with bipolar disorder (BD) and may have a variety of causes including differences in functioning as well as actions undertaken during mood episodes. A primary cause of shame in BD is self-stigma or internalized stigma which has a host of additional deleterious outcomes. Few interventions exist to directly address self-stigma, and no comprehensive interventions exist to address it specifically in BD. Here, we present Overcoming Self-stigma in Bipolar Disorder (OSSiBD), a manualized program designed to fill this gap. OSSiBD employs techniques such as psychoeducation, CBT, and narrative therapy that have an evidence base in ameliorating self-stigma. The program is available for use in clinics, hospitals, and programs as well as to individual clinicians. At time of publication, an RCT is being conducted to establish empirical support for the OSSiBD program.