Psychopathological features during childhood and adolescence among adult bipolar patients: a retrospective study

There are still several concerns regarding the inconsistency in the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder (BD) in children and adolescents. This study reviews the symptoms of youth admitted to The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center (UT-HCPC) prior to a confirmed diagnosis of BD to elucidate patterns and target symptoms which may facilitate early recognition of BD.

This is a retrospective review of charts of adult patients with a discharge diagnosis of BD for three consecutive admissions who were also admitted to UT-HCPC as children or adolescents (N=26). The Kiddie SADS was completed based on each patient's first admission as a child and last admission as an adult.

Most of the symptoms found in adult BD were present in the child/adolescent subjects at equivalent rates, except for mood elevation, which was less common during childhood and adolescence. In spite of the psychopathological similarity, only 6 (23%) of the subjects were diagnosed with BD as youth.

BD is poorly diagnosed among children and adolescents. Difficulties in the assessment of the youth, as well as particularities in the psychopathology of mood among children and adolescents may account for the low diagnostic rate.