Bipolar disorder in children diagnosis has become increasingly common over the past few years, prompting a need for effective assessment tools tailored to younger age groups. Diagnosing bipolar disorder in children presents unique challenges, as the symptoms can often mimic those of other conditions like ADHD or conduct disorders. Understanding the nuances of these assessments is crucial to ensuring that children receive accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment.
The Rise in Childhood Bipolar Disorder Diagnoses
Until recently, people did not recognize bipolar disorder as a common condition in children or adolescents. However, over the past few years, researchers and experts have seen a steady increase in the number of diagnosed cases, which has created a need to develop effective assessment tools for children with bipolar disorder.
Controversy Surrounding Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis in Children
Controversy surrounds the diagnosis of children, with some people concerned that professionals are assigning the label too freely to children who may have another condition. There is concern that perhaps the child is being given the diagnosis due to pressure to find the reasons behind certain behaviors that perhaps could be treated.
Challenges in Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder in Children
Diagnosing bipolar disorder in children is very difficult, because no two children with the condition will exhibit the same symptoms. Many of the symptoms also mimic other conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), other conduct disorders, or even normal childhood behavior that is misunderstood. As a result, an accurate bipolar disorder in children diagnosis requires a careful evaluation that distinguishes these overlapping signs.
The Importance of Accurate Diagnosis
It is important to distinguish and recognize the correct diagnosis, because the treatments for conditions are going to be different. As an example, the medication that is used for children with ADHD acts as a stimulant. This could trigger manic episodes in children with bipolar disorder.
Assessment Tools for Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder in Children
Clinicians have used the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and the Schizophrenia-Epidemiological version (K-SADS-E) to diagnose bipolar disorder in children younger than 18 years.
Conducting the Bipolar Disorder Interview for Children
These evaluative tools involve a clinician trained to conduct the interview process. Normally, the age range for this assessment is 6-18 years old. In cases with younger children, the parent generally goes through the interview first, and then the clinician repeats the interview with the child. In cases with teenagers, the clinician recommends interviewing them first.
The adult version of the scale, Schizophrenia and Affective Disorder Scales, is the assessment tool which is revised with children in mind. Questions will cover school issues and other issues related to children and adolescents.
Evaluating Discrepancies in Interviews
The interview is assessed by taking into consideration interviews from parents, the child and other factors and sources of information. In cases of discrepancies between results of answers by parents and the child, it will be up to the trained clinician to evaluate the differences.
Symptoms are rated for current episodes and past cases of most severe episodes. The interview consists of an introductory process, and then the more in-depth screening section. The whole interview will take about 90-120 minutes to complete.
The Importance of Comprehensive Evaluation and Proper Treatment
Since it is very difficult to be able to diagnose a condition as serious as bipolar disorder in children, it is crucial that all factors are taken into consideration before labeling a child with a condition such as this. It is important for all involved to come up with effective assessment tools for children with bipolar disorder to ensure that they are being given the proper treatment, so that they can learn to live and function with their condition.
RESOURCES
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: The Assessment of Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2915577/
The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry: Practitioner Review: The Assessment of Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2786990/
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Bipolar Disorder
https://www.aacap.org/aacap/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Centers/Bipolar_Disorder_Resource_Center/Home.aspx
Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation: The Child Bipolar Questionnaire
http://www.jbrf.org/the-child-bipolar-questionnaire-for-families-use/
American Psychological Association: Psychological Science and Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents
http://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2006/07/youngstrom.aspx
Sacramento State: Assessment and Intervention for Bipolar Disorder
https://www.csus.edu/indiv/b/brocks/Workshops/NASP/BIPOLAR%20Summer%20NASP%2007.pdf
University of Maryland Medical Center: Bipolar Disorder
https://www.umms.org/ummc/patients-visitors/health-library/in-depth-patient-education-reports/articles/bipolar-disorder
Mayo Clinic: Bipolar Disorder
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis
Ballou Education:
https://www.balloueducation.com/
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