Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Suicidal Adolescent Inpatients: a Case Study

The authors briefly review the theoretical & research basis for the use of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with parasuicidal adolescent inpatients. A case study is presented that includes DBT case formulation, & its application to the inpatient management of a chronically parasuicidal adolescent is described. The authors also describe a) the use of a stage theory of treatment, b) the application of Linehan’s biosocial theory, c) use of behavioral analysis of parasuicidal behavior, & d) dialectical treatment of this patient. 1 year follow-up data on this patient are also presented. (15 refs)