title: Premorbid functioning in adolescent onset bipolar I disorder: a preliminary report from an ongoing study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study reports on premorbid academic and peer functioning and psychiatric illness in a rigorously diagnosed sample (N = 28) of adolescent onset bipolar I patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Premorbid functioning was assessed by parental report and review of the Ontario School Record (OSR). Premorbid psychiatric diagnoses were assigned on the basis of all information gathered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, findings suggest that this cohort demonstrates good to excellent peer and academic functioning prior to illness onset. Rates of premorbid psychiatric illnesses were similar to that described in epidemiologic samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results are discussed in relation to current understanding of early onset bipolar illness and directions for future research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kutcher
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bird
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010553:Personality Development; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012917:Social Adjustment