Do we really need a "new" cognitive therapy for bipolar disorder? Paradigm refinements and treatment mechanisms for cognitive remediation.

Although more pronounced during mood episodes, widespread cognitive deficits also persist after symptom remission for a significant proportion of individuals with bipolar disorder (BD). These cognitive difficulties limit recovery and are strongly associated with a wide range of functional goals such as employment and interpersonal relationships. This mounting evidence of the importance of cognitive functions now requires action if we are to improve recovery outcomes for the long-term. Cognitive Remediation (CR), originally developed to treat people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, has recently emerged as a potential treatment option to promote functional recovery by targeting cognitive difficulties in people with BD.