Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

The diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BD) in youth is confusing and controversial. Controversy notwithstanding, youth diagnosed with BD have high behavioral health needs and are at elevated risk for problematic long-term psychosocial functioning and complex psychiatric medication regimens. Pediatricians and other primary care providers (PCPs) can play an important role in the assessment and treatment of youth diagnosed with BD and the recently created and also controversial diagnosis of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD). This article provides information on the definitions, background, and presentation of pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD), how to differentiate PBD from other psychiatric disorders, effective psychiatric and psychosocial interventions for PBD, potential roles for PCPs, and what is known about DMDD. [Pediatr Ann. 2016;45(10):e362-e366.].