What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is characterized by the presence of either manic or hypomanic episodes as well as a major depressive episode.

Examples of manic/hypomanic symptoms include:

  • Decreased need for sleep combined with daytime restfulness (i.e., feeling rested despite a few hours of sleep or no sleep)
  • Elevated mood
  • Grandiosity
  • Involvement in activities with a high potential for negative consequences, frequently involving sexual behavior, spending sprees, or other impulsive behaviors

Best Practice Assessment for Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

Youngstrom et al. (2020) review best practice considerations for assessing pediatric Bipolar disorder.

These include the clinician:

  1. Considering the overall base rate of pediatric Bipolar disorder in the setting that the clinician is working in
  2. Obtaining a family history of potential Bipolar disorder among both first degree as well as second degree relatives of the child or teen being assessed. At Teleios Behavioral Health, we typically use the Family Index of Risk for Mood Disorders (FIRM).
  3. Obtaining broad-band parent rating scales of child or teen mood and behavior. At Teleios Behavioral Health, we typically use the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).
  4. Obtaining parent rating of mood symptoms specific to Bipolar disorder. At Teleios Behavioral Health, we use the Parent Version of the General Behavior Inventory short form (P-GBI) as well as the Child Mania Rating Scale
  5. Completing a parent interview focused on depressive and manic symptoms. At Teleios Behavioral Health, we typically use the K-SADS for this.
  6. Consider what Youngstrom refers to as “handle” symptoms of Bipolar disorder for children and teens during the assessment. Handle symptoms include (1) elevated and expansive mood, (2) decreased need for sleep combined with daytime energy or restfulness, and (3) hypersexuality.
  7. Include child/teen interview as well as rating of own symptoms. At Teleios Behavioral Health, we typically use the K-SADS for the interview. For youth 11 years and older, we also incorporate self ratings on the 7up7down scale.

Evidence Based Psychotherapy for Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

The research literature supports a combination of psychiatric medication as well as Child and Family Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CFF-CBT) for treatment of Bipolar Disorder.

We provide CCF-CBT at Teleios Behavioral Health. In CCF-CBT, both parents and children/teens participate in therapy. Children/teens and their parents are taught coping skills for the symptoms of Bipolar disorder over the course of treatment.

Schedule An Appointment