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Defining and identifying early onset bipolar spectrum disorder

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Abstract

Early onset bipolar spectrum disorder (EOBPSD) is difficult to diagnose because of symptom overlap with other disorders and nearly ubiquitous comorbidity. A thorough assessment of EOBPSD should include the following: 1) a timeline of the child’s development, from birth to present, showing the episodic nature of EOBPSD; 2) a structured clinical interview determining comorbidity and differential diagnosis; 3) a family history genogram to ascertain familial loading and environmental stressors, which informs case conceptualization; 4) depression and mania rating scales to assess symptom severity and track treatment outcome; 5) global rating scales to obtain cross-informant data and inform broad-based treatments; and 6) a current mood log to document baseline functioning and track treatment outcome. Examples of a timeline, family history genogram, and current mood log are presented. This comprehensive approach to assessing EOBPSD, a severe and possibly lifelong disorder, is strongly advocated. No scale, instrument, or technique alone is adequate to diagnose EOBPSD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroscience Facility, Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, The Ohio State University, 1670 Upham Drive, Suite 460-G, 43210, Columbus, OH, USA

    Mary A. Fristad PhD

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  1. Colleen A. Quinn MS
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  2. Mary A. Fristad PhD
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Quinn, C.A., Fristad, M.A. Defining and identifying early onset bipolar spectrum disorder. Curr Psychiatry Rep 6, 101–107 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-004-0049-1

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