Beyond the Diagnosis: Transdisciplinary Care for Bipolar Disorder

March 29, 2024

As we celebrate World Bipolar Day 2024, we want to not only raise awareness about bipolar disorder but also the support required for those living with this condition. Bipolar disorder, with its complex interplay of emotional highs and lows, demands a nuanced understanding and approach to care that extends beyond conventional medical treatment. This year, we aim to highlight the transdisciplinary support structure—a holistic network of allied health professionals—that is crucial in empowering individuals with bipolar disorder to lead full, enriching lives.


Understanding the multifaceted nature of bipolar disorder is the first step in acknowledging that managing it goes beyond medication and traditional therapy. The journey toward wellness for those affected involves a collaborative, comprehensive approach that incorporates the expertise of various allied health disciplines. From psychologists and occupational therapists to dietitians and music therapists, each therapy contributes to the support network that addresses the physical, emotional, and social aspects of living with bipolar disorder.


Today, our focus is on highlighting the pathways through which transdisciplinary care can make a tangible difference. It’s about building a bridge between individuals living with bipolar disorder and the life that lies beyond the challenges of their condition. Today, we stand together to advocate for a support system that not only understands the complexity of bipolar disorder but also champions the possibility of a fulfilling life despite it.


Understanding Bipolar Disorder


Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition marked by significant mood swings, including periods of depression and episodes of mania or hypomania. The impact of these mood swings can be profound, affecting various aspects of an individual's life, from personal relationships to professional commitments. Recognising the diverse presentations of bipolar disorder, which can include Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymic Disorder, stresses the necessity for a nuanced approach to diagnosis and treatment.


The Role of Allied Health

 

Allied health professionals play a critical role in providing a holistic approach to care for individuals with bipolar disorder. The inclusion of a wide range of therapies ensures that individuals receive care that addresses both their mental and physical health needs.


This includes:


Counselling and Psychology: Essential for mental health support, helping individuals understand and manage their condition.


Occupational Therapy: Focuses on improving daily living and working skills to foster independence and enhance quality of life.


Speech Therapy: Supports those with communication challenges, which can sometimes occur as a side effect of medication or as part of the disorder itself.


Social Work: Provides assistance with accessing community resources, navigating the healthcare system, and supporting social and emotional well-being.


Behaviour Support: Specialises in developing strategies to manage challenging behaviours that may arise due to mood swings, contributing to improved personal and social interactions.


Dietetics: Offers nutritional advice to manage the effects of medication and the disorder on body weight and overall health.


Music Therapy: Utilises music as a therapeutic tool to improve mood, reduce stress, and enhance emotional expression, which can be particularly beneficial during depressive or manic episodes.


Physiotherapy: Aids in addressing the physical discomforts that may arise from prolonged periods of inactivity or hyperactivity associated with bipolar disorder, promoting physical well-being and pain relief.


Interdisciplinary Collaboration


The collaboration among allied health professionals, psychiatrists, general practitioners, and support groups is pivotal for delivering comprehensive care to those with bipolar disorder. This cooperative approach ensures that care plans are well-rounded, tailored, and adaptable, catering to the evolving needs of individuals.


Recognising World Bipolar Day is an opportunity to highlight the comprehensive care needed to support those with bipolar disorder effectively. By incorporating a range of allied health professionals, we can offer a more nuanced and supportive care framework. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that individuals living with bipolar disorder receive the support they need to manage both their mental and physical health challenges.


References and Further Reading

  1. Black Dog Institute: Offers comprehensive resources on bipolar disorder, emphasizing the importance of holistic care.
  2. SANE Australia: A resource for finding support and information on mental health, including services offered by various allied health professionals.
  3. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP): Provides guidelines on the management of mood disorders, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary care.
  4. Australian Psychological Society (APS): Information on psychological services and the significance of allied health in mental health care.
  5. Occupational Therapy Australia: Offers insights into how occupational therapy contributes to mental health and well-being.
  6. Dietitians Australia: Highlights the role of nutrition in managing mental health conditions.
  7. Australian Music Therapy Association: Provides information on how music therapy supports mental health.
  8. Australian Physiotherapy Association: Details the role of physiotherapy in maintaining physical well-being for individuals with mental health conditions.


News & Insights

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April 3, 2025
At helpz, we believe that engaging with individuals who have lived experiences of disability is essential for creating inclusive and effective support services. We are proud to introduce Tharon, our new Neurodivergent Consultant, who brings invaluable insights and knowledge to our team. Tharon will be contributing to our monthly newsletter, sharing his perspectives on various topics, as well as developing his own course on understanding autism. With his wealth of knowledge and personal experience, Tharon plays a pivotal role in guiding our efforts to be more neuroaffirming. Join us as we delve into an insightful interview with Tharon, exploring his vision for enhancing the lives of neurodivergent people. Q: Hi Tharon, thank you for joining me today. We are excited to introduce you to our network and would love for them to get to know you. Let’s talk about you! Where are you from and what are your interests? I live in the “silver city” (Broken Hill) – I love Broken Hill, even when I am not living here my heart is always there. Broken Hill has a few claims to fame, one is that it was home to the artist Kevin Charles “Pro” Hart. When I left Broken Hill briefly as a child, “Pro” Hart gave each of my family members a New Testament bible with a hand-painted picture on the back of it. I still have mine, it is a cherished possession. I am a late-diagnosed autistic at 25 years old, now 40 years old. I am single (and looking). I am an avid reader – The Wheel of Time series, by Robert Jordan, is my absolute favourite. I will read anything and everything – I once read the dictionary backwards for fun - I am kidding, I did it more than once. I have aspirations in breeding birds. I absolutely love birds and flying things – ask me about the Battle of Midway! I also love Doctor Who, Star Wars (before Disney got involved), sci-f i in general, and games like chess, Monopoly, Dungeons and Dragons, and other TTRPGs, Ace Combat, Kingdom Hearts, Sid Meier's Civilisations, and War of Thunder, just to name a few. Q: What brought you to this position and what are your goals? I was running out of NDIS funding and completing assessments when I met Danny Burgess as a behaviour support practitioner. Before I had the help of therapists, I had already researched everything. Danny asked me, “ What can we do for you?” I told him that I had already done all the research and was doing all the things already. From there, after he heard my knowledge and advocacy skills, Danny offered me a job. Danny employed me to create a training program to help others understand Autism from the inside perspective, which is a work in progress, and we hope to have the first component available in the next month or so. I want to start developing peer support groups for people with ASD to help them understand themselves and help people avoid the mistakes I made. Q: What does being neuroaffirming mean to you, and why is it important for disability organisations? Neuroaffirming to me means treating me like everyone else, but having consideration that I am not like everyone else. We are often treated with casual cruelty – comments like “suck it up” or “everyone does that.” So many of us mask our autism because we feel that we cannot be ourselves around others. We are not masking for us; it is painful and stressful for us; we are masking for you so that you are comfortable around us. Being neuroaffirming is about acceptance and letting people be who they are, without treating us differently or lesser. We are not broken; we are different. Living in a world that you are not built for is traumatic. Neuroaffirming is about being kind and understanding. We know that some things we do are not acceptable, but we need to know why and how to do it differently, and sometimes we need this explained to us 10-15 times before we get it, and sometimes we will never get it. Q: What are some common misconceptions about neurodivergence that you encounter, and how do you address them? “We are not empathetic” – This is not true. We have empathy; we often do not know how to communicate that we care and are worried for you. We also often do not have control over our facial expressions and tone of voice. People misconstrue this as having no empathy, but it’s simply false. “We are giving you a hard time” – Nope! We are just having a hard time. We might not know or understand the situation and need your help to understand it. If we are annoying you, say something. It does not need to be in the moment; it can be later on. We often do not realise we do something that makes you upset. Try to look at things f rom our perspective. Parents will bond so much better if they can draw themselves into their child’s world “Autistics are all super smart” – We have the same spectrum of intelligence as neurotypical people. Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about your vision for enhancing neuroaffirmation at helpz? Neuroaffirmation is not a term I would use, but it is about being kind to one another, accepting each other for who they are, and understanding the ‘why’ of actions. I don’t really care about the term 'neuro-affirming', it doesn’t really cross my mind, what I do care about is helping people understand each other so people can treat each other with kindness and consideration - just treat us like everyone else without forcing us to do something we aren’t ready for, or can’t do. If I could sum it up in one phrase it would be - be the person we feel safe enough to unmask in f ront of. My goal is to help autistics understand themselves better, and for neurotypicals to understand autistics better.
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By Clair Kauter February 27, 2025
At helpz, we know that providing high-quality behaviour support starts with confident, well-equipped practitioners. That’s why we created the Behaviour Support Development Program (BSDP) —our very own training and mentorship pathway designed to help new practitioners build the skills they need to succeed. Since launching in 2022, our program has supported over 100 practitioners to step into the field with the practical knowledge, experience, and confidence to provide meaningful support to people with disabilities. And we’re proud to say that number is growing every year! How It Works The BSDP is delivered entirely online and starts with a series of seven interactive webinars , giving practitioners a strong foundation in behaviour support. From there, participants can opt into an 8-week mentorship program , where they work alongside our experienced clinicians to apply their learning in real-world scenarios. Throughout the program, we guide practitioners every step of the way, helping them: ✅ Write and refine behaviour support plans ✅ Develop effective data collection strategies ✅ Complete assessments with confidence ✅ Prepare training and implementation programs, including those involving restrictive practices At the end of the self-paced journey , each practitioner undergoes a comprehensive review of their self-assessment and previous experience. Based on this, they may be endorsed as Core or Developing Core , setting them up for success as they take on their first caseload. What Our Practitioners Say Many of our past participants have shared how the BSDP gave them the confidence and skills to thrive in their roles. Courtney Pettingill , a recent BSDP graduate, said: "I was initially anxious about completing the BSDP… but the activities made learning easy, and my nerves quickly faded thanks to the incredible support from the Helpz team and my clinical supervisor. Now, I feel confident delivering behaviour support services." Looking Ahead to 2025 We’re excited to continue growing our BSDP in 2025, welcoming even more passionate practitioners who want to make a real impact in the disability sector. If you’re looking for a supportive, hands-on program to kick-start your behaviour support career, we’d love to welcome you to helpz! Find out more about our program here .
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