Mindfulness Practice in Recovery From Bipolar Disorder: Qualitative Study Results and Humanistic Implications

Abstract

Psychosocial treatments for bipolar disorder (BD) enhance outcomes. However, more than half of those who receive psychosocial treatment experience residual depression. Mindfulness practice demonstrates benefits for numerous psychological problems, but little research has examined mindfulness-based interventions developed specifically for BD. A qualitative study was conducted to inform a new mindfulness-based treatment approach for BD and report the effects of mindfulness practice. In 2018 and 2019, nine adults were interviewed about their experiences recovering from BD. All respondents used Buddhist-informed mindfulness practice in their recoveries. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and four top-level themes emerged: building the capacity for health, emotional regulation, shifts in experiential perspective, and adverse experiences. There were also several sub-themes, including cultivating resilience, emotional self-awareness, emotional freedom and reduced reactivity, and cognitive clarity. These findings suggest that mindfulness practice may have unique contributions to make in recovery in BD. Mindfulness and Buddhist frameworks appeared to help participants make new, more helpful meanings about BD. These findings align with humanistic and transpersonal values. A future approach informed by these results could address whole-person concerns in recovery. Such an approach could promote recovery and help individuals work with the experience of BD.