Pediatric Bipolar Disorder: Onset, Risk Factors, and Protective Factors.

The current article discusses the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children throughout the years as it has evolved, focusing on very early-onset and early-onset bipolar disorder. Proper care of children with bipolar disorder requires a thorough understanding of the subtleties in symptoms at different developmental ages, as well as a shift in diagnostic thinking, which grew to include disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD). DMDD was added to address potential overdiagnosis of an already unusual diagnosis in young children. Critical discussion of risk factors, protective factors, and lack of data to support protective factors in the literature follows. Implications for advanced practice RNs are included, as these children transition from pediatric practice to adult practice. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 57(9), 32-37.].

Duke Scholars

Author Ann Roselle School of Nursing