Psychiatria pre prax 4/2013

Specifications of bipolar affective disorder in children

In clinical practice early identification of bipolar affective disorder remains poor despite the high level of disability associated with the disorder (1). The current psychiatric classification not differentiate bipolar disorder (BAD) for under and over 18 years old separately (6). Criteria for determining the BAP are quite the same, but it is important to respect the specificities linked to age in childhood and adolescence. The illustrative case report presents the case of a 16-year-old woman hospitalized at the Department of Pedopsychiatry for the above mentionned disorder.

Keywords: bipolar affective disorder, manic phase, diagnosis.