Dr. Igor Galynker, director of the Family Center for Bipolar Disorder, gave a lecture on "Care for the Patient, Care for the Family: Family Inclusive Treatment for Mood Disorders" to the Mood Disorders Support Group of New York City on March 4, 2008. For more information, see mdsg.org/lectures2008.html.

The Bipolar Family Treatment Center is dedicated to the compassionate support, treatment and understanding of bipolar illness within the context of the family. We treat patients and their families with our Family-Inclusive Treatment (FIT) program.

Bipolar Disorder is a chronic illness that lasts a lifetime, just like diabetes and cardio-vascular disease. Similar to a family physician who coordinates primary care, FIT uses a "Family Psychiatrist" to encourage and facilitate open family communication about the signs and symptoms of bipolar illness and the medications used in its treatment.

The Family Psychiatrist helps patients, family members and friends recognize and avoid risky behavior, such as high expressed emotion that may trigger an episode, and increase the likelihood of children developing Bipolar Disorder.

In addition to medication management, the Family Psychiatrist works to create a family environment that minimizes, as much as possible, the impact of bipolar disorder on its members.

FIT is designed to include caregivers, who may be family members or friends, at every step along the way to wellness. We recognize that preserving family health and stability is an essential part of successful treatment. Therefore we offer follow-up, support, and, if needed, treatment to family members as well.

We offer three types of services:

Outpatient Family-Inclusive Treatment delivered by a team of Beth Israel physicians. More...

Consultations A one-time evaluation, conducted by a team of professionals. More...

Inpatient Inpatient hospitalization in a psychiatric unit and treatment by a bipolar disorder specialist. More...

Department of Psychiatry
Beth Israel Medical Center, New York City