Many teenagers who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder face severe mood swings. They go through extreme highs and lows that affect how they feel, think, and act.
Because of this, they’re at a higher risk of attempting suicide compared to those without the disorder. Finding a way to help these teens is crucial.
One study has offered a glimmer of hope. Researchers found that a particular type of counseling called Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT for short, can make a big difference.
The Study: A New Way to Offer Help
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh conducted a study, which was published in a well-respected medical journal.
They wanted to find out if DBT could help teens diagnosed with bipolar disorder reduce the number of suicide attempts. They invited teenagers aged 12 to 18 to take part in the study.
These teens were split into two groups. One group got a full year of this special DBT counseling. They had 36 sessions with trained professionals.
The other group received what’s called “standard-of-care” therapy. That means they got the usual treatment, but it wasn’t as structured as DBT.
They followed up with the teens for about 11 months to see how they were doing. Both groups showed that their mood got better over time.
But something incredible happened with the DBT group: the number of suicide attempts dropped significantly compared to the other group.
To measure this, the researchers used two different rating scales that ask detailed questions about suicidal thoughts and actions.
Why DBT Works: A Focus on Emotions
So, why did DBT work better? One reason is that DBT focuses a lot on helping people handle their emotions better. This was particularly useful for teens who had trouble controlling their feelings to start with.
The therapy worked so well that the researchers think it’s the first treatment of its kind to show such good results in stopping suicidal actions among teens with bipolar disorder.
Adding It All Up: A Lifesaver for Teens
This study is a big deal. For the first time, a special type of counseling has been shown to help teens with bipolar disorder reduce suicide attempts.
This finding offers hope for families, therapists, and doctors who are trying to find the best way to help teens struggling with extreme mood swings.
But it’s not the end of the story. More research is needed to fully understand why DBT works so well and if it will work as effectively in different settings or for different age groups.
Teens who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder have a tough road ahead. But studies like this one are helping us find ways to make that journey a little easier and, most importantly, safer.
With this newfound knowledge, it’s possible to look forward to more effective treatments that can truly save lives.
If you care about depression, please read studies about how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and B vitamins could help prevent depression and anxiety.
For more information about mental health, please see recent studies that ultra-processed foods may make you feel depressed, and extra-virgin olive oil could reduce depression symptoms.
The research findings can be found in JAMA Psychiatry.
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