Abstract
A child or adolescent with pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) is at higher risk for suicide, violence, and impaired psychosocial functioning. The prevalence of diagnosed PBD has increased 40-fold in less than 2 decades, leading some to believe that PBD is inaccurately diagnosed. Complicating this issue, disagreements exist among clinicians as to the utility of current screening methods. The assessment picture is further muddied by the high rate of comorbid psychiatric conditions. A literature review was performed to describe the present understanding of PBD and identify current practices of screening for the disorder. Although screening tools are available, the literature suggests they lack validity. Awareness, a thorough interview, and expedient referral may assist clinicians in making a correct diagnosis. Accurate assessment will help ease the psychological and economic burden of PBD.
- American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text rev.). Washington, DC: Author. Google Scholar
- American Psychiatric Association. (2010). DSM-5 proposed revisions include new diagnostic category of temper dysregulation with dysphoria (TDD): Criteria to differentiate children with TDD from those with bipolar disorder or oppositional defiant disorder (Release No. 10-14). Retrieved from http://www.dsm5.org/Newsroom/Documents/TDD%20release%202.05%20(1).pdf Google Scholar
- Carbray J.A., McGuinness T.M. (2009). Pediatric bipolar disorder. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 47(12), 22–26.
10.3928/02793695-20091103-02 Link, Google Scholar - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Burden of mental illness. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/basics/burden.htm Google Scholar
- Cummings C.M., Fristad M.A. (2008). Pediatric bipolar disorder: Recognition in primary care. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 20, 560–565.
10.1097/MOP.0b013e-32830fe3d2 Crossref Medline, Google Scholar - Diler R.S., Birmaher B., Axelson D., Goldstein B., Gill M., Strober M., Keller M.B. (2009). The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the CBCL-Bipolar Phenotype are not useful in diagnosing pediatric bipolar disorder. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 19, 23–30.
10.1089/cap.2008.067 Crossref Medline, Google Scholar - Jenkins M.M., Youngstrom E.A., Washburn J.J., Youngstrom J.K. (2011). Evidence-based strategies improve assessment of pediatric bipolar disorder by community practitioners. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 42, 121–129.
10.1037/a0022506 Crossref Medline, Google Scholar - Maniscalco E.R., Hamrin V. (2008). Assessment and diagnostic issues in pediatric bipolar disorder. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 22, 344–355.
10.1016/j.apnu.2007.08.006 Crossref Medline, Google Scholar - Moreno C., Laje G., Blanco C., Jiang H., Schmidt A.B., Olfson M. (2007). National trends in the outpatient diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder in youth. Archives of General Psychiatry, 64, 1032–1039.
10.1001/archpsyc.64.9.1032 Crossref Medline, Google Scholar - National Institute of Mental Health. (2007). Rates of bipolar diagnosis in youth rapidly climbing, treatment patterns similar to adults. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/rates-of-bipolar-diagnosis-in-youth-rapidly-climbing-treatment-patterns-similar-to-adults.shtml Google Scholar
- National Institute of Mental Health. (2008). Bipolar disorder. Retrieved from http://mentalhealth.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/complete-index.shtml Google Scholar
- Townsend L.D., Demeter C.A., Wilson M., Findling R.L. (2007). Update on pediatric bipolar disorder. Current Psychiatry Reports, 9, 529–534.
10.1007/s11920-007-0072-0 Crossref Medline, Google Scholar
