Is bipolar disorder the most common diagnostic entity in hospitalized adolescents and children?

An evaluation of all children and adolescents admitted to an acute psychiatric unit over a three-month period was undertaken to determine the presence of bipolar disorder. The findings indicated that bipolar disorder was the most common diagnostic entity. This disorder had not been recognized in most of these youngsters previously, although almost all of them have had past psychiatric contacts. The vast majority of youngsters experiencing delusions and/or hallucinations, and the vast majority of court-remanded adolescents also appeared to be suffering from the disorder. It was concluded that bipolar disorder has to be ruled out in all youngsters admitted to acute care psychiatric units.