Clinical Practice Guidelines for Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD) in Children and Adolescents.

Abstract

According to the census of India, 40% of individuals are children below 16 years of age. There is a paucity of prevalence studies of mental disorders in children and adolescents. There are some community studies who have reported prevalence rates of 9.4% in children aged 8–12 years, 12.5% in children aged 0–16 years, and 1.81% in adolescents aged 12–16 years. Bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) has been recognized in children since 1990; however, there is active controversy whether it could occur before the age of 12 years. Some robust Indian studies have reported 3%–4% prevalence of mood disorders in children and adolescents. Lifetime prevalence rates of BPADs in this age group have been calculated 2.1% equal in males and females. These disorders are often associated with comorbid disorders such as anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorders (CDs). Some authors feel that bipolar disorders often start in adolescents with an episode of major depression, chronic fluctuating abnormalities of mood overactivity, cognition, and conduct disturbances. In the early stage, presenting symptoms are nonspecific and not limited to mood spectrum.