No abstract

Although bipolar disorder historically was thought to only occur rarely in children and adolescents, there has been a significant increase in children and adolescents who are receiving this diagnosis more recently (Carlson, 2005). Nonetheless, the applicability of the current bipolar disorder diagnostic criteria for children, particularly preschool children, remains unclear, even though much work has been focused on this area. As a result, more work needs to be done to further the understanding of bipolar symptoms in children. It is hoped that this paper can assist psychologists and other health service providers in gleaning a snapshot of the literature in this area so that they can gain an understanding of the diagnostic criteria and other behaviors that may be relevant and be informed about potential approaches for assessment and treatment with children who meet bipolar disorder criteria. First, the history of bipolar symptoms and current diagnostic criteria will be discussed. Next, assessment strategies that may prove helpful for identifying bipolar disorder will be discussed. Then, treatments that may have relevance to children and their families will be discussed. Finally, conclusions regarding work with children who may have a bipolar disorder diagnosis will be offered.

Given these findings, emerging adults' depressive symptoms may serve as a useful proximal target for psychotherapeutic interventions meant to improve adaptation to college (particularly for female emerging adults), even in the context of high levels of perceived familial criticism from emerging adults' family of origin.

The medical and social service records of the 130 battered children under 10 years of age admitted to San Francisco General Hospital during a six-year period, July 1, 1965, to June 30, 1971, were reviewed. Only children with physical injuries were included. A control group was selected from concurrent admissions. The findings showed a steadily rising number of admissions for child abuse. Many of the children suffered from emotional, physical and medical neglect as well as intentional trauma and 44% had been abused previously. Six children died. Sixty-three percent of the battered children were less than 2 years old. Their parents were significantly younger than parents of controls and also much more transient. White children rather than nonwhite children were battered more often than expected when compared to the ethnic distribution of the control group.