Pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) is a chronic, severely impairing, life threatening illness.  The consequences of bipolar disorder (BD) can be devastating to the afflicted children and adolescents as well as their families.  Due to the complexity of the disorder, it is difficult to diagnose and treat, with a mortality rate of 19%.  While most are familiar with BD as an adult illness, research now shows it is appearing earlier in each generation (childhood onset) and in a significantly more severe and chronic form. 

Although it has been suggested as an inherited illness, the exact cause of BD is unknown.  Unfortunately, there are no genetic or biological tests to diagnose BD.  Currently, the only way to diagnose BD is through a psychiatric evaluation.  There is no known cure, but treatment with psychiatric medications and psychotherapy can reduce the symptoms and severity of the illness. 

BD is often thought of as a disorder primarily affecting areas of the brain that regulate mood, cognition or thoughts, and response behaviors.  This is why mood stabilizing medications, also called psychotropics, significantly help a person affected by this disorder.  The illness is characterized by significant mood shifts ranging from depressed, down mood, and irritability, to a euphoric, expansive mood that affect and impair functioning. 

While there are some similarities to adult onset BD, manifestations of PBD often differ.  Most notably, PBD is characterized by high rates of rapid mood cycling, meaning a child’s mood can suddenly and unexpectedly shift between despair and euphoria, and back again.  It is common for a child or adolescent with BD, who is not on a mood stabilizing medication, to experience extreme cyclical and mixed labile mood patterns, which repeat uncontrollably and rapidly throughout the day- everyday.  In comparison, adults with BD typically experience distinct “episodes” of either a high or low mood over an extended period of time.  As a result of the rapid cyclical nature of PBD, it often manifests more severely in the child or adolescent, and is more challenging to treat than adult onset BD.  The severity of PBD also puts children and adolescents at a greater risk than adults for suicide and substance abuse.  Additionally, they are more likely to experience peer relationship difficulties, academic challenges, and negative legal consequences as a result of impulsive behaviors associated with the disorder. 

PBD is a serious, disabling illness of the brain.  Without proper care, support, and treatment, children and adolescents with this illness are at tremendous risk of experiencing life failure and possibly suicide.  Thus, early diagnosis and treatment is essential. Fortunately, with treatment, children and adolescents can live reasonably normal lives, experience childhood success, and enter into adulthood as productive, caring, and independent citizens. 

Despite advances in medicine, this brain disorder is one that remains understudied and often misunderstood.  More research is vital to better understand PBD, and to develop improved treatment options as well as a cure.  These kids need our understanding and support!  YBFNC believes in a brighter future and better world.  Together we can work to change and improve the lives of children and adolescents with BD. 

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