Patients with bipolar disorder will be randomly assigned to either standard care or the high intensity ambulatory program for three years. Outcome variables will cover three distinct domains: disease-specific outcome (number, length, and severity of manic and depressive episodes), functional outcome (social and occupational role function and subjective quality of life), and total treatment costs (direct treatment costs and indirect costs of illness). Preliminary data indicate that these domains are related but not redundant. Each of these is relevant to patient well-being and to VHA management.