Practice parameters for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder

Jon McClellan, John Werry, William Ayres, John Dunne, Elissa Benedek, Gail Bernstein, Richard L. Gross, Robert King, Henrietta Leonard, William Licamele, Mary Graham, Leslie Seigle, Carolyn A. Heier, Michelle E. Wright, Diane Wiegand

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84 Scopus citations

Abstract

These practice parameters describe the assessment and treatment of early-onset bipolar disorder based on scientific evidence regarding diagnosis and effective treatment and on the current state of clinical practice. Given the paucity of research on bipolar disorder in children and adolescents, many of the treatment recommendations are drawn from the adult literature. Although the same diagnostic criteria are used as for adults, youth may differ with regard to the developmental presentation of symptoms and comorbid psychiatric disorders. Treatment involves the combination of pharmacotherapy and adjunctive psychosocial interventions. Antimanic agents (primarily lithium or valproic acid) are the mainstays of pharmacotherapy. The treatment focuses on (1) amelioration of acute symptoms; (2) the prevention of relapse; (3) the reduction of long-term morbidity; and (4) the promotion of long-term growth and development. These parameters were approved by Council of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry on June 5, 1996.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)138-157
Number of pages20
JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Volume36
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1997
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • adolescents
  • bipolar disorder
  • children
  • early onset

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