Bipolar Affective Disorder in Children and Adolescents

Overview

Bipolar affective disorder in children and adolescents has been closely studied as late as in the last decade. An overview article brings remarks on classification, etiology, imaging methods results, and epidemiology of the disorder. The clinical description of the disorder focuses on age related character of some symptoms. In the differential diagnostics ADHD, conduct disorder, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, substance use, anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, agitated depression, as well as borderline personality disorder are mentioned. Some of the disorders listed above can be comorbid disorders of the bipolar disorder in childhood and adolescence as well. Illness course in children and younger adolescents, in comparison to adults, is rather non-episodic, chronic, with rapid cycling and mixed episodes. Mood stabilizers, SSRI antidepressants, benzodiazepines and antipsychotics, especially atypical, are common treatment options. The overview is supplemented by a case report.

Key words:
bipolar affective disorder, childhood, adolescence, psychopathology, drug therapy.