Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
04:33

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Published on: April 26, 2024

Parent and child reports of sleep problems associated with early-onset bipolar spectrum disorders

Nicholas Lofthouse1, Mary Fristad1, Mark Splaingard2

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, The Ohio State University.

Journal of Family Psychology : JFP : Journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43)
|March 21, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Sleep problems are common in early-onset bipolar spectrum disorders (EBSDs). Most children with EBSDs experience moderate-to-severe sleep issues related to mood symptoms or comorbidities.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Mood Disorders Research

Background:

  • Sleep disturbances are diagnostic criteria for mood disorders.
  • Research on sleep problems in early-onset bipolar spectrum disorders (EBSDs) is limited.
  • Understanding sleep issues in pediatric bipolar disorder is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine parent-child agreement on sleep problems in children with EBSDs.
  • To determine the frequency and severity of EBSD-related manic, depressive, and comorbid sleep issues.
  • To identify specific sleep problem patterns in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed 133 children aged 8-11 with EBSDs.
  • Utilized parental and self-report measures for sleep problems.
  • Analyzed agreement and discrepancy between child and parent reports.

Main Results:

  • Low agreement and high discrepancy between parent and child reports of sleep problems were observed.
  • The majority (96.2%) of children experienced moderate-to-severe sleep problems linked to manic, depressive, or comorbid symptoms.
  • Depression-related sleep problems, particularly initial insomnia, were more prevalent than mania-related issues.
  • Over half the children had sleep problems associated with comorbidities like separation anxiety disorder.

Conclusions:

  • Parent and child perspectives on sleep problems in EBSDs differ significantly.
  • Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent and severe in children with EBSDs, often linked to mood symptoms and comorbidities.
  • These findings highlight the need for comprehensive sleep assessments and targeted interventions in pediatric bipolar disorder.

Related Concept Videos

Bipolar Disorder01:30

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by significant mood fluctuations, including episodes of mania and depression. Elevated energy levels, heightened mood or irritability, impulsive behavior, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and distractibility characterize mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder often alternate between depressive and manic states, with periods of emotional stability lasting an average of six months to a year.
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares often...
Oppositional Defiant Disorder01:30

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...