Few clients with bipolar disorder experience a simple
trajectory of clear-cut episodes, with recovery typically
occurring slowly over time independent of the bipolarity
phase (Elgie & Morselli 2007, Huxley & Baldessarini
2007). Contrary to the notion that patients return to their
premorbid level of functioning, this is not the norm for the
majority of patients who experience residual symptoms
and a lack of sustained recovery (MacQueen et al. 2001,
Elgie & Morselli 2007). The pervasive impact of the emergence
of bipolar symptoms on psychosocial functioning has
been highlighted (Leboyer et al. 2005). Miklowitz (2008)
has noted that the behavioural and emotional experiences
of the person with bipolar disorder affect everyone – the
patient’s parents, spouses, siblings and children, and episodes
of bipolar disorder are major life events not only for
the patient but for those that care for her/him.