The double-edged sword of goal engagement: consequences of goal pursuit in bipolar disorder.

Sheri L Johnson, Daniel Fulford, Charles S Carver

Journal: Clinical psychology & psychotherapy 2012;19(4):352-62

PMID: 22610999

Free Full Text on PubMed Central View on PubMed

Abstract

A series of studies suggest that bipolar disorder is related to high sensitivity to incentives and that incentive sensitivity (or sensitivity of the approach system) can predict the course of mania. Incentive sensitivity in bipolar disorder seems to be related to two processes: a tendency to invest in difficult-to-attain goals and an over-reactivity to cues of goal progress versus thwarting. Both of those processes appear relevant to symptom generation. Hence, bipolar disorder seems related to a greater emphasis on reaching goals and also a problematic reactivity to reaching those highly desired goals. We suggest directions for treatment development focused on these issues in goal regulation.

Address: University of California, Berkley, USA. [email protected]

DOI: 10.1002/cpp.1801

Link outs

Free resources

Full Text Sources:

Medical:

https://medlineplus.gov/bipolardisorder.html

Subscription / membership required

Full Text Sources:

https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.1801

MeSH Terms: Affect, Aspirations, Psychological, Attention, Bipolar Disorder, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Frustration, Goals, Humans, Life Change Events, Motivation, Reward, Self Concept