Children and adolescents with bipolar disorder: their experiences and opinions of lithium treatment

Objectives: Due to the lack of safety data available, concerns exist about using lithium in Juvenile Bipolar Disorder (JBD). The objective of the current study was to assess children and adolescents' experiences and opinions of being prescribed lithium in their treatment of Bipolar Disorder. Methods: A Lithium Questionnaire was designed and sent to 58 children and adolescents with Bipolar Disorder I, II or NOS aged between 8 and 19 years (M = 15.2 years, SD = 2.5). Participants had received community treatment from the Bipolar Program, a JBD clinic in Newcastle, Australia. For children under 12 years, parents assisted in completing the questionnaire. The Lithium Questionnaire assessed experiences and opinions towards lithium for those who had taken or were currently taking lithium. Those who had never been prescribed lithium were asked for their attitudes about taking lithium if it was recommended in the future. Results: Overall children and adolescents who were currently taking lithium felt that it had been very successful in stabilising their JBD. The majority indicated it had helped with their irritable and elevated moods. The most common side effect reported was a tremor. For those clients never prescribed lithium before, they appeared willing to try it if it was prescribed in the future. Conclusions: Children and adolescents with JBD report that lithium is a tolerable and important mood stabiliser in their treatment.