Pediatric bipolar disorder: Emerging diagnostic and treatment approaches

Pediatric bipolar disorders are prevalent psychiatric disorders that seriously disrupt the lives of children, adolescents, and their families [1-3]. Numerous studies have shown that children and adolescents who have bipolar disorder have significantly higher rates of morbidity and mortality, including psychosocial morbidity with impaired family and peer relationships [4], impaired academic performance with increased rates of school failure and school dropouts [5], increased levels of substance abuse, increased rates of suicide attempts and completion, legal difficulties, and multiple hospitalizations [2,6]. It is important that these disorders be recognized early so that the appropriate treatments may be started and these negative outcomes minimized.