Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the diagnostic profiles and clinical characteristics of youth (ages 6-18 years) referred for diagnostic evaluation to a pediatric mood disorders clinic that specializes in early-onset bipolar disorder. METHOD: A total of 250 youth were prescreened in an initial telephone intake, and 73 participated in a full diagnostic evaluation. Trained psychologists administered the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADSPL) to the child and to at least one parent, and a child psychiatrist conducted a separate pharmacological evaluation. Evaluators then met with a larger clinical team for a consensus diagnosticconference. RESULTS: Based on consensus diagnoses, 13 of the 73 referred youth (18%) met lifetime DSM-IV-TR criteria for a bipolar spectrum disorder (BSD; bipolar I, II or not otherwise specified disorder, or cyclothymic disorder). Of these 73, 27 (37%) were referred with a community diagnosis of a bipolar spectrum disorder, but only 7 of these 27 (26%) met DSM-IV-TR criteria for a bipolar spectrum diagnosis based on a structured interview and consensus diagnoses. The most common Axis I diagnoses (based on structured interview/consensus) were attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (31/73, 42.5%) and major depressive disorder (23/73, 32%). CONCLUSIONS: When youth referred for evaluation of BSD are diagnosed using standardized interviews with multiple reporters and consensus conferences, the "true positive" rate for bipolar spectrum diagnoses is relatively low. Reasons for the discrepancy between community and research-based diagnoses of pediatric BSD- including the tendency to stretch the BSD criteria to include children with depressive episodes and only 1-2 manic symptoms-are discussed.

Original publication

DOI

10.1097/01.pra.0000445251.20875.47

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Psychiatr Pract

Publication Date

03/2014

Volume

20

Pages

154 - 162

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Bipolar Disorder, Child, Community Mental Health Services, Consensus, Depressive Disorder, Major, Diagnosis, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Female, Humans, Interview, Psychological, Male, Referral and Consultation, Sensitivity and Specificity, Young Adult