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The explanatory styles of 387 law students were assessed prior to law school using the Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ). Longitudinal performance measures were collected throughout law school and related to each student's initial explanatory style. In contrast to studies with undergraduates, students who made stable, global, and internal attributions for negative events combined with the converse attributions for success (typically called pessimists) outperformed more optimistic students on measures of grade point averages and law journal success. We discuss the limitations of current attributional research methodologies and suggest the prudent and cautious perspective necessary for law or skill-based professions may account for our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A basic biopsychosocial model of episode onset in rapid-cycling bipolar disorder is presented with a special emphasis on cognitive and other psychosocial contributors. A three-pronged, face-valid, cognitive-behavioral treatment protocol meant to supplement medications is deduced from the available research literature. The concrete treatment components focus on prevention of mood cycles, early detection of cycle onset, and mood restabilization during cycles. The treatment protocol was pilot tested on a rapid-cycling bipolar patient who first received pharmacotherapy only followed by pharmacotherapy plus adjunctive cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Detailed treatment measures were collected before, during, and after treatment. A comparison of Beck Depression Inventory and Young Mania Scale scores in pharmacotherapy versus pharmacotherapy plus CBT conditions suggest the addition of CBT produces significant clinical gains. Scores on the Beck Anxiety Inventory and Hopelessness Scale provide further support for the CBT treatment model. These preliminary results suggest cognitive-behavioral or similarly structured psychosocial treatment models could greatly enhance the medical treatment of rapid-cycling bipolar patients and warrants further controlled investigation.