Bipolar Treatment Guidelines for Children and Adolescents

[HA]

Treatment Guidelines for Children and Adolescents With Bipolar Disorder: Child Psychiatric Workgroup on Bipolar Disorder

ROBERT A. KOWATCH, M.D., MARY FRISTAD, PH.D., BORIS BIRMAHER, M.D., KAREN DINEEN WAGNER, M.D., ROBERT L. FINDLING, M.D., MARTHA HELLANDER, J.D., AND THE WORKGROUP MEMBERS

ABSTRACT

Clinicians who treat children and adolescents with bipolar disorder desperately need current treatment guidelines. These guidelines were developed by expert consensus and a review of the extant literature about the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric bipolar disorders. The four sections of these guidelines include diagnosis, comorbidity, acute treatment, and maintenance treatment. These guidelines are not intended to serve as an absolute standard of medical or psychological care but rather to serve as clinically useful guidelines for evaluation and treatment that can be used in the care of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. These guidelines are subject to change as our evidence base increases and practice patterns evolve. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2005;44(3):213–235.

http://www.jaacap.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/jaacap/media/01.chi.0000146567.36668.30.pdf

 

[Clockwork]

From my experience many kids who eventualy get diagnosed with BP have previously been diagnosed with ADHD. I know when I was a kid I was treated for, ADHD first, Bipolar second, Major Depression third and Bipolar again in my late 20's. I think they really need guidelines because they may do more harm then good especialy with young kids. I read some where that they don't like giving kids anti-depresants as much as the used to, due to suicides etc. Although I am not an expert, I have a hard time regarding giving antipsyhotics to children, other then giving it to those who really need it. I think it may also be a dangerous drug if not used with extra monitoring considering kids are not as able to describe feelings etc. No wonder in my early teens I was a manic when they gave me prozac and chloropromazine. In hindsight I now know why I drank and smoked dope so much. The prozac was making me psychotic and manic.

 

[Clockwork]

From my experience many kids who eventualy get diagnosed with BP have previously been diagnosed with ADHD. I know when I was a kid I was treated for, ADHD first, Bipolar second, Major Depression third and Bipolar again in my late 20's. I think they really need guidelines because they may do more harm then good especialy with young kids. I read some where that they don't like giving kids anti-depresants as much as the used to, due to suicides etc. Although I am not an expert, I have a hard time regarding giving antipsyhotics to children, other then giving it to those who really need it. I think it may also be a dangerous drug if not used with extra monitoring considering kids are not as able to describe feelings etc. No wonder in my early teens I was a manic when they gave me prozac and chloropromazine. In hindsight I now know why I drank and smoked dope so much. The prozac was making me psychotic and manic.