Appropriate suggestions for the family of a patient with bipolar disorder being treated as an outpatient during a hypomanic episode include: (Select all that apply.)

Question

a. providing structure.
b. limiting credit card access.
c. encouraging group social interaction.
d. suggesting limiting work to half days.
e. monitoring the patient's sleep patterns.

Answer 1

A, B, E
A patient with hypomania is expansive, grandiose, labile, uses poor judgment, spends inappropriately, and is overstimulated by a busy environment. Providing structure would help the patient maintain appropriate behavior. Financial irresponsibility may be avoided by limiting access to cash and credit cards. Continued decline in sleep patterns may indicate the condition has evolved to full mania. Group socialization should be kept to a minimum to reduce stimulation. A full leave of absence from work will be necessary to limit stimuli and prevent problems associated with poor judgment and inappropriate decision making that accompany hypomania.