Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Youth With Anxiety at Risk for Bipolar Disorder

Children who have parents with bipolar disorder are at risk for developing anxiety disorders. Typical treatments for anxiety in children are SSRI antidepressants. However, these medications may accelerate the onset of mania or hypomania in children with a family history of bipolar disorder or cause suicidal thinking in children. Studies trying alternative treatments to anxiety and possible bipolar disorder in children are needed, to establish other methods for treating childhood mental health. These studies can also help with early intervention and possible future prevention strategies for bipolar disorder. This study involves treating anxious children with Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. They will have 12 weeks of mindfulness therapy in a group with other children where they will be led by a trained group leader, how to pay attention to anxiety cues and react differently.

Inclusion criteria

• 10-17 years old
• At least one parent with bipolar disorder
• Meets clinical criteria for a specific anxiety disorder
• PARS -5 item scale score > 10 at screening and baseline of initial study phase
• Fluent in English;
• Provision of written informed consent/assent
• Agrees to participate in 75% of sessions

Exclusion criteria

CANNOT Have any of the Following:

• Documented diagnosis of mental retardation or IQ <70
• Previous participation in mindfulness-based treatment
• Substance use disorder within last 3 months
• Judged clinically to be suicide risk
• Concurrent treatment with psychotropic medication (certain exceptions apply, ask for details)
• Psychotherapy initiated within 2 months prior to screening or plan to initiate psychotherapy during study participation
• Any lifetime diagnosis of bipolar disorder, cyclothymia, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorder
• Any symptom that requires admission to an inpatient psychiatric unit
• Anxiety symptoms resulting from acute medical illness or acute intoxication or withdrawal from drugs or alcohol