Many parents are challenged by a child who has extreme changes in mood, energy, thinking, and behavior. Careful evaluation will find that some of these children are suffering from a mental disorder. Yet, only a very few of those will have bipolar disorder.
Clinical Resources
AACAP Practice Parameters
AACAP’s Practice Parameters for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder aids mental health professionals and physicians in their clinical decision making. The Practice Parameters show the best treatment options available to families living with childhood and adolescent mental illness. These parameters were published in 2007 but are the most updated
version. Because they are more than five years old and have not yet been
updated to reflect current knowledge and practice, in accordance with
national standards, including those of the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality's National Guideline Clearinghouse, these
parameters can no longer be assumed to be current.
Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder
Information about Choices in Psychotherapy Treatment
Treatment for bipolar disorder comes in the form of medication and psychotherapy treatment. Both are important elements of a comprehensive treatment plan. For children and adolescents with bipolar disorder, getting enough sleep and developing skills to monitor moods is an essential part of effective treatment. There are several psychotherapies that are being studied for children and adolescents with bipolar disorder, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
To learn more about the types of psychotherapy that are available to help children and adolescents with mental illness, click here.
Information about Choices in Medication
Parents who have a child or adolescent with bipolar disorder, or any mental health condition, are often left facing difficult decisions regarding medication.
Learn more about how psychiatric medication is used to treat children and adolescents
Learn more about the types of psychiatric medication that are available to treat children and adolescents with mental health disorder
View up-to-date information about advances in psychopharmacological treatment for mood disorders
AACAP has produced medication guides to help patients, families, and
physicians make informed decisions about obtaining and administering
appropriate care for a child with ADHD, depression, or bipolar
disorder.
Rating Scales to Assist in Diagnosis
The Child Mania Rating Scale–Parent Version (CMRS-P) is an assessment tool that helps clinicians differentiate bipolar disorder from other childhood behavioral disorders, such as ADHD. This rating scale collects information from parents and can be completed in approximately 15 minutes. Child Mania Rating Scale Parent Version.
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Research and Training
Practice Parameters
AACAP's Practice Parameters for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder aids mental health professionals and physicians in their clinical decision making. The Practice Parameters show the best treatment options available to families living with childhood and adolescent mental illness. These parameters were published in 2007 but are the most updated
version. Because they are more than five years old and have not yet been
updated to reflect current knowledge and practice, in accordance with
national standards, including those of the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality's National Guideline Clearinghouse, these
parameters can no longer be assumed to be current.
Practice Parameters for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Assessment of a Person-Level Risk Calculator to Predict New-Onset Bipolar Spectrum Disorder in Youth at Familial Risk
Hafeman DM, Merranko J, Goldstein TR, et al.
JAMA Psychiatry. 2017; 74(8):841-847
The Bipolar Prodrome: Meta-Analysis of Symptom Prevalence Prior to Initial or Recurrent Mood Episodes
Van Meter AR, Burke C, Youngstrom EA, Faedda GL, Correl CU.
J Am Acad CHild Adolesc Psychiatry. 2016; 55(7): 543-555
Correlates of Overweight and Obesity Among Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A)
Goldstein Bl, Blanco C, He JP, Merikangas K.
J Am Acad CHild Adolesc Psychiatry. 2016; 55(12): 1020-1026
Differentiating Bipolar Disorder–Not Otherwise Specified and Severe Mood Dysregulation
Kenneth Towbin, David Axelson, Ellen Leibenluft, Boris Birmaher
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Vol. 52, Issue 5, p466–481
Child- and Family-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Pediatric Bipolar Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Amy E. West, Sally M. Weinstein, Amy T. Peters, Andrea C. Katz, David B. Henry, Rick A. Cruz, Mani N. Pavuluri
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Vol. 53, Issue 11, p1168–1178.e1
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Books
An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness
Kay Redfield Jamison
Sugar and Salt
Jane Thompson
Brandon and the Bipolar Bear: A Story for Children with Bipolar Disorder
Tracy Anglada
The Dark Side of Innocence
Terri Cheney
Turbo Max: A Story for Siblings and Friends of Children with Bipolar Disorder
Tracy Anglada
For more bibliotherapy resources, visit Living with Mental Illness: Books, Stories and Memoirs.
Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me: A Graphic Memoir
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Getting Help
Getting help is the most important thing that parents can do for children and adolescents with a mental health concern. Parents should try to find a mental health professional with advanced training and experience evaluating and treating children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. Also, it is important to find a comfortable match between your child, your family, and the mental health professional.
A child and adolescent psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders that affect children and adolescents. Child and adolescent psychiatrists have completed four years of medical school, and at least three years of residency training in medicine, neurology, or general psychiatry with adults, and two years of additional training in psychiatric work with children and adolescents.
Find a child and adolescent psychiatrist in your area.
To learn about accessing child and adolescent psychiatrists and other mental health professionals, please read Where to Find Help for Your Child.
Oftentimes, parents are unsure when to seek a referral to a child and adolescent psychiatrist. For more information on when to seek a referral, click here.
Related Websites
There are many organizations that provide support groups for families that have a family member or child with bipolar disorder. Two such organizations are the The Balanced Mind Foundation and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.
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