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