Is Positive Psychiatry an Effective Treatment for Adolescents?

The following article is part of conference coverage from the 2019 American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting (APA 2019) in San Francisco, CA. Psychiatry Advisor’s staff will be reporting breaking news associated with research conducted by leading experts in psychiatry. Check back for the latest news from APA 2019.

SAN FRANCISCO — Positive psychiatry is essential in providing positive clinical treatment outcomes for adolescent patients with mental illnesses, according to a study presented at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, held May 18-22, 2019, in San Francisco, California.

Researchers conducted a retrospective literature search on positive psychiatry to create a succinct intervention plan for adolescents with mental illness, such as depression and suicidal ideation, and implemented the plan in the adolescent inpatient population. They found that positive psychiatry both alleviated depression and enhanced well-being in their meta-analysis of 51 interventions with 4266 patients. Patients responded particularly well to exercises that highlighted personal strengths and gratitude. They noted that early intervention and an emphasis on resilience to prevent patients from distancing themselves from higher levels of well-being has been recommended for the treatment of depression.

Researchers noted, “[It] is possible to achieve a breakthrough in improving adolescent mental health by incorporating positive psychiatry strategies that instill resilience and prevent further pathology development.”

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Reference

Marin K, Albadawi N, Rouse NC, Kozman M. Positive psychiatry in the adolescent population. Poster presented at: Poster presented at: American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting; May 18-22, 2019; San Francisco, CA. Abstract 28.