Have you ever had one of those weeks where every patient you see could greatly benefit from psychotherapy, but finding them a therapist seems impossible? There are many barriers to accessing mental health care, including inadequate or nonexistent insurance coverage and a shortage of therapists trained in specific types of therapy. For instance, I’m always on the lookout for specialists in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), but finding even one has been a struggle. Recently, I’ve seen many patients who would benefit far more from psychotherapy than from medication, yet I haven’t been able to connect them with the quality therapy they need. We talk a lot about helping people, but I’m not seeing the commitment to providing effective treatment for our most vulnerable patients.
Tag: DBT
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Is Self-Injurious Behavior The Same Everywhere?
Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is generally believed to be more prevalent among females, but there is limited research exploring the sex and geographic-specific factors influencing its prevalence among adolescents. This meta-analysis, which reviewed 38 studies, found that NSSI is twice as common in female teenagers compared to males in North America, though this pattern is not observed in Asia. This raises an important question: what factors are driving such significant distress in young women? Mood disorders, body image issues, and anxiety are all recognized as contributing factors that increase the likelihood of NSSI. We are lucky to have some treatments that help with NSSI including dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). If you or someone you know is struggling with NSSI please reach out for help.
Link to the Article:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2820026
