Pediatric bipolar disorder: recognition in primary care

Abstract

Purpose of Review-Bipolar disorder (BPD) is increasingly diagnosed in youth in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Research on BPD in youth has also increased dramatically; this paper summarizes issues of clinical relevance in primary care, advancements in the past year, and areas where more research is needed.Recent Findings-Key issues and new developments are summarized in the following areas: epidemiology and relevance; assessment and differential diagnosis; patient and family decision support; shared decision making and triage; treatment; and monitoring and collaboration with mental health professionals. Recent practice guidelines have important implications for diagnosis and treatment.Summary-Early-onset BPD appears to have a more severe course and more comorbidity than later life onset, as well as longer delays in treatment-seeking. Affected children show differences in cognitive functioning and neuroanatomy compared to the general population. Assessment of BPD in children needs to be comprehensive and longitudinal, as diagnosis remains a debated topic. Medications are a primary part of treatment, but more double-blind, placebo controlled trials are needed. Psychosocial adjunctive treatment is important. Children with a family history of BPD are at-risk for impaired functioning and psychopathology; high-risk studies will increase our understanding of the onset and course of BPD.

Childhood ADHD and Early-Onset Bipolar Disorder Comorbidity: A Case Report

“…Once the patient was stabilized on an appropriate dosage of medication, maintenance treatment continued with the goal of relapse prevention. Ongoing monitoring for symptom recurrence, including suicide risk, was important [ 46 , 50 ].…”