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Web survey of sleep problems associated with early-onset bipolar spectrum disorders

Nicholas Lofthouse1, Mary Fristad, Mark Splaingard

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, The Ohio State University, Neuroscience Facility, 1670 Upham Drive, Room 560-A, Columbus, OH 43210-1250, USA. Nicholas.Lofthouse@osumc.edu

Journal of Pediatric Psychology
|January 15, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Nearly all parents reported sleep problems in children with Early-Onset Bipolar Spectrum Disorders (EBSD). These sleep issues, often linked to mood episodes, significantly impacted children

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Psychiatry
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Child Psychology

Background:

  • Limited research exists on sleep difficulties in Early-Onset Bipolar Spectrum Disorders (EBSD).
  • Sleep disturbances are a common concern in pediatric mental health conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of sleep problems in children diagnosed with EBSD.
  • To explore the impact of these sleep issues on daily functioning.

Main Methods:

  • A web-based survey was administered to 494 parents of children aged 4-12 with EBSD.
  • The survey utilized items from the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-2).
  • Data collected focused on past and current EBSD-related sleep disturbances.

Main Results:

  • Almost all parents reported sleep problems in their children with EBSD.
  • Sleep issues were most frequent during periods of severe mood episodes, especially mixed symptoms.
  • Significant impairments in home, school, and peer functioning were reported in 96.9% of cases.
  • Sleep disturbances were also associated with schedule changes like long weekends and Daylight Saving Time transitions.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep problems are highly prevalent in children with EBSD and are closely tied to mood states.
  • These sleep difficulties lead to substantial functional impairments across multiple life domains.
  • Findings highlight the need for integrated treatment approaches addressing both mood and sleep in EBSD.
Abstract

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