A clinical program for juvenile bipolar disorder: preliminary data and future research directions

Background: The Bipolar Program (TBP) is a clinic specialising in assessing and treating Juvenile Bipolar Disorder (JBD). Aims: To describe demographic, clinical, comorbid and functional characteristics of clients with JBD. Method: Systematic assessment data were obtained for all clients of TBP diagnosed with JBD between May 2005 and May 2007 (40 female, 16 male, M = 13.9 years, SD = 2.7). Results: From semi-structured interview data (WASH-U-KSADS), 19.6% met criteria for Bipolar I, 14.3% Bipolar II, and 66.1% Bipolar NOS. Mean age at diagnosis was 13.1 years (SD = 2.8), with no sex difference. Comorbidities included anxiety disorders (51.8%), ADHD (30.4%), psychosis (25%), ODD/CD (17.9%), ASD (12.5%), and eating disorders (5.4%). Most clients reported self-harm/suicidal behaviours (76.3%) and ideation (75.7%). Mean clinician-report scores were calculated for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (M = 8.2, SD = 5.5), Young Mania Rating Scale (M = 7.9, SD = 6.9), Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS; M = 55.9, SD = 11.3) and Health of the Nation Outcomes Scale for Children and Adolescents (M = 20.1, SD = 8.2). Males scored significantly lower on the CGAS (p < .05). Conclusion: Clients with JBD at TBP tend to be female, presenting in early adolescence, and show profiles similar to previous studies, with high levels of psychiatric comorbidity (especially anxiety), and poor global functioning.