Certainly these strategies can be delivered by independent cognitive-behavioral therapists,
but perhaps it is most important for pharmacologists to adopt these strategies directly. At
the time of the review of symptoms and diagnosis, the pharmacologist can begin the process
of offering expert information on bipolar disorder, combined with a review of the patient’s
history of disorder and treatment, as part of a motivational intervention. The
pharmacologist is engaged in helping establish the patient in the role of a responsible cotherapist
on the case, seeking to help the patient define the importance for him- or herself of
medication use for control of bipolar disorder. For BD patients, CT always consists of a
number of phases. Since BD is a chronic disorder, the educational element is important in
facilitating cooperation. The patient is encouraged to ask questions concerning the disorder,
its causes and its treatment. As in every type of cognitive therapy, the cognitive model is
shown and the patient learns to identify and analyze cognitive changes, as well as automatic
thoughts and thought distortions, which occur in depression and mania.