Bipolar disorder in children

Not to be confused with Borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Bipolar disorder in children, or pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD), is a rare mental disorder similar to bipolar disorder in adults. The diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children has been heavily debated for many reasons, including the potential harmful effects of adult bipolar medication on children.

PBD has been proposed as an explanation for periods of extreme shifts in mood, called mood episodes. These shifts alternate between periods of depression or irritability and periods of abnormally elevated moods, called manic or hypomanic episodes. Mixed mood episodes can occur when someone with PBD experiences depressive and manic symptoms simultaneously. PBD mood episodes are different from general shifts in mood experienced by children and adolescents because mood episodes last for long periods of time (i.e. days, weeks, or years) and cause severe disruptions to an individual's life.

There are three known forms of PBD: bipolar I, bipolar II, and bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (BD-NOS). The average age of onset of PBD remains unclear, but the reported age of onset ranges from 5 to 19 years old. PBD is typically more severe and has a poorer prognosis than bipolar disorder with onset in late adolescence or adulthood.

Since 1980, the DSM has specified that the criteria for bipolar disorder in adults can also be applied to children with some adjustments based on developmental differences. Genetics and environment are considered risk factors for the development of bipolar disorder, but the exact cause is currently unknown. Diagnosis of bipolar disorder requires evaluation by a professional, and diagnosis of PBD typically requires more in-depth observation due to children's inability to report symptoms properly.

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