DBT for Bipolar Disorder: Informal vs Formal Mindfulness
United States Department of Homeland Security
Key Points
- When working with bipolar symptoms, it’s helpful to emphasize informal mindfulness practice over formal mindfulness practice (practical daily application vs traditional meditation).
- When working with bipolar symptoms, it’s helpful to teach clients to practice their mindfulness in much smaller blocks of time than with other clients. For example, doing just a few minutes of mindfulness practice at a time sprinkled throughout the day as opposed to one large block of time daily.
- When working with bipolar symptoms, it’s helpful for clients to practice coping ahead by honing their mindfulness skills when they’re relatively stable and between poles, before **they’re actively immersed in either a manic or depressive state.
