Treatment options for children and adolescents with bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is an increasingly common diagnosis in children and adolescents. Although psychosocial interventions are important for these young patients, treatment guidelines presently focus on pharmacologic therapy in the acute treatment of pediatric bipolar I disorder. Placebo-controlled studies have been conducted with lithium, anticonvulsants, and atypical antipsychotics, but more research is needed, especially in areas other than acute manic and mixed episodes. Additional studies are needed to determine the safest and most effective agents for treating children and adolescents with bipolar disorder.