MONDAY, Oct. 6 (Health.com) — About 44% of children diagnosed with bipolar disorder continue to have symptoms of the psychiatric disease in adulthood, according to the first study to follow such children over time.
The study supports the idea that children can indeed get bipolar disorder, once a controversial diagnosis thought to occur only in adults. Although the details are still murky, most psychiatrists now agree that children can have the disease.
In adults, bipolar disease is characterized by dramatic mood swings, from depression to mania. In children, experts don’t always agree which symptoms warrant a bipolar diagnosis, what will happen to youngsters as they age, or which treatments are most effective.
The new study answers a key question. “Do these kids with bipolar—when they grow up—get the adult form of the disease? And this paper says, ‘Yes they do,’” says study author Barbara Geller, MD, a professor of psychiatry at Washington University in St. Louis.
“It’s a pioneering study,” Dr. Geller tells me. “It’s the first study of bipolar in children ever funded by [the National Institute of Mental Health].”
In the study, published in Archives of General Psychiatry, Dr. Geller and colleagues followed 115 children, with an average age of 11, who were diagnosed with bipolar disorder between 1995 and 1998.
Eight years later, 54 were over age 18, and 44% of those adult patients still had episodes of mania. (Researchers don’t consider the rest of the patients “cured,” because they might have symptoms in the future. “Will there be some who don’t have episodes as adults?” Dr. Geller asks. “We’ll have to follow them longer to see.”)
What’s more, about 35% were substance abusers, which is similar to the percentage seen in people who are diagnosed with the disease in adulthood.
Next: Is bipolar disorder the correct diagnosis for these children?
Comments (5)
I would suggest moving forward from the barbaric practice of drugging children with dangerous and highly toxic chemicals which only suppress symptoms and cause damage to the child’s brain and other organs to a more holistic approach (search orthomolecular medicine and psychiatry) whereby brain and body chemistry are treated with chemicals compatible with the body = vitamins, minerals, amino acids combined with a healthy nutritious diet and a lot of fresh air and exercise. What have you got to lose?
J. Holderbaum–
You have the life of a child to lose. What you’re suggesting has been tried before. When neuroscience advances, treatment advances, but for the moment I would say medication AND your suggestions for a good diet and physical activity should be standard for treatment.
Having been diagnosed as an adult, my PDoc said that based on the biographical info I gave her my first episode happened when I was just 7. So I concur with this study and stand by the treatment of this disorder with Psych meds and healthy diet and excercise.
I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder at 12 years old. I’m now 18 years old with no symptoms or actions that would clasify me as bi-polar. my Dr. agree’s. So I disagree with this article.
My oldest was diagnosed BP a couple years ago (age 12). I am a strong believer in not medicating our children, but with BP it is important to have the right medication along with therapy. My son is still held accountable for his behavior overall. The BP allows extra understanding of the moods and other quirks. After living with a BP mother I understand the importance of medications for those with BP. I also monitor my son’s diet, because I know the eating binges my mother experienced. I believe BP in kids can be treated with the right combination of help. My son knows this may be a lifelong situation, but at least he is learning while still under a mother’s protective covering.