Caregivers burden in bipolar disorder

The excessive workload of the caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder has been studied with special attention in recent years. This review article intends to sum up the information and conclusions reported in studies to date. Specifically, we attempt to describe how the level of overload may be assessed, which clinical variables are associated with a greater or lesser overload, what coping mechanisms adopted by caregivers may be more adequate, what type of repercussions or impact may be suffered by the caregiver in terms of family, work, economic or legal matters, and which psychoeducational programs have proven more effective for treating caregivers.