Review

Social Rhythm in Bipolar Disorder and Interventions to Regulate Social Rhythm

Volume: 9 Number: 1 March 16, 2026
TR EN

Social Rhythm in Bipolar Disorder and Interventions to Regulate Social Rhythm

Abstract

This review aims to compile interventions targeting social rhythms to reduce symptoms, regulate sleep, and improve functioning in bipolar disorder. Factors influencing relapse in bipolar disorder include stressful life events, nonadherence to pharmacological treatment, and disruptions in social rhythms. Although the findings are inconsistent, bright light therapy, as a chronotherapeutic intervention, appears to be an effective and safe adjunctive treatment, particularly during depressive episodes of bipolar disorder. On the other hand, interventions implemented during manic episodes, such as dark therapy and the use of blue light-blocking glasses, have been found to reduce manic symptoms, improve sleep quality, and decrease the need for pharmacological treatment. In terms of psychotherapeutic interventions, CBT-I has been associated with higher depression remission rates, reduced use of anxiolytics, decreased insomnia severity, and fewer maladaptive sleep-related cognitions. Furthermore, CBT-I adapted for bipolar disorder (CBT-I-BD) has been shown to reduce insomnia severity, the frequency of manic/hypomanic episodes, and the use of psychotropic medication for sleep among individuals diagnosed with BD. Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), whether delivered individually or in group formats, has been found to reduce both depressive and manic symptoms, improve social rhythm regularity, and enhance overall functioning. In conclusion, approaches targeting circadian rhythms show promise, particularly in treatment-resistant cases of bipolar disorder, due to their rapid effects and neurobiological basis. However, further scientific data are needed, especially in areas such as standardized intervention protocols, larger sample sizes, and long-term follow-up of clinical outcomes.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Psychiatry

Journal Section

Review

Publication Date

March 16, 2026

Submission Date

September 2, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 5, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 1

APA
Ayar, Y., & Şahin Tokatlıoğlu, T. (2026). Social Rhythm in Bipolar Disorder and Interventions to Regulate Social Rhythm. Tıp Fakültesi Klinikleri Dergisi, 9(1), 25-39. https://izlik.org/JA56NZ26DE
AMA
1.Ayar Y, Şahin Tokatlıoğlu T. Social Rhythm in Bipolar Disorder and Interventions to Regulate Social Rhythm. Tıp Fakültesi Klinikleri Dergisi. 2026;9(1):25-39. https://izlik.org/JA56NZ26DE
Chicago
Ayar, Yeşim, and Tuğba Şahin Tokatlıoğlu. 2026. “Social Rhythm in Bipolar Disorder and Interventions to Regulate Social Rhythm”. Tıp Fakültesi Klinikleri Dergisi 9 (1): 25-39. https://izlik.org/JA56NZ26DE.
EndNote
Ayar Y, Şahin Tokatlıoğlu T (March 1, 2026) Social Rhythm in Bipolar Disorder and Interventions to Regulate Social Rhythm. Tıp Fakültesi Klinikleri Dergisi 9 1 25–39.
IEEE
[1]Y. Ayar and T. Şahin Tokatlıoğlu, “Social Rhythm in Bipolar Disorder and Interventions to Regulate Social Rhythm”, Tıp Fakültesi Klinikleri Dergisi, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 25–39, Mar. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA56NZ26DE
ISNAD
Ayar, Yeşim - Şahin Tokatlıoğlu, Tuğba. “Social Rhythm in Bipolar Disorder and Interventions to Regulate Social Rhythm”. Tıp Fakültesi Klinikleri Dergisi 9/1 (March 1, 2026): 25-39. https://izlik.org/JA56NZ26DE.
JAMA
1.Ayar Y, Şahin Tokatlıoğlu T. Social Rhythm in Bipolar Disorder and Interventions to Regulate Social Rhythm. Tıp Fakültesi Klinikleri Dergisi. 2026;9:25–39.
MLA
Ayar, Yeşim, and Tuğba Şahin Tokatlıoğlu. “Social Rhythm in Bipolar Disorder and Interventions to Regulate Social Rhythm”. Tıp Fakültesi Klinikleri Dergisi, vol. 9, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 25-39, https://izlik.org/JA56NZ26DE.
Vancouver
1.Yeşim Ayar, Tuğba Şahin Tokatlıoğlu. Social Rhythm in Bipolar Disorder and Interventions to Regulate Social Rhythm. Tıp Fakültesi Klinikleri Dergisi [Internet]. 2026 Mar. 1;9(1):25-39. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA56NZ26DE