Pediatric bipolar disorder

Abstract

Pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) is a chronic illness with a prevalence rate of two percent. As many as 66% of persons develop this condition during the adolescent years, while up to 20% develop signs of PBD before ten years of age. Various aspects of this condition are considered, including its neurobiology, theoretical underpinnings, relationship to disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, comorbidities, clinical features, diagnosis, and management, including pharmacologic treatment. A combination of pharmacotherapies and psychosocial interventions is the current standard of care; however, more long-term studies are needed to better understand the efficacy of treatment and long-term outcomes.