title: Psychopathological features during childhood and adolescence among adult bipolar patients: a retrospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There are still several concerns regarding the inconsistency in the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder (BD) in children and adolescents. This study reviews the symptoms of youth admitted to The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center (UT-HCPC) prior to a confirmed diagnosis of BD to elucidate patterns and target symptoms which may facilitate early recognition of BD.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective review of charts of adult patients with a discharge diagnosis of BD for three consecutive admissions who were also admitted to UT-HCPC as children or adolescents (N=26). The Kiddie SADS was completed based on each patient's first admission as a child and last admission as an adult.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the symptoms found in adult BD were present in the child/adolescent subjects at equivalent rates, except for mood elevation, which was less common during childhood and adolescence. In spite of the psychopathological similarity, only 6 (23%) of the subjects were diagnosed with BD as youth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BD is poorly diagnosed among children and adolescents. Difficulties in the assessment of the youth, as well as particularities in the psychopathology of mood among children and adolescents may account for the low diagnostic rate.
authors: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Department of Psychiatry, Harris County Psychiatric Center, Houston, TX. Electronic address: kathy.scottgurnell@optum.com.
authors: Kathy
authors: K
authors: Scott-Gurnell
authors: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Department of Psychiatry, Harris County Psychiatric Center, Houston, TX.
authors: Ify
authors: I
authors: Ezeobele
authors: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Department of Psychiatry, Harris County Psychiatric Center, Houston, TX.
authors: Jena
authors: J
authors: Blake
authors: Department of Educational Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX.
authors: Tiffany
authors: T
authors: Gerondale
authors: UT Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX.
authors: Marsal
authors: M
authors: Sanches
authors: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Department of Psychiatry, Harris County Psychiatric Center, Houston, TX.
authors: Patricia M
authors: PM
authors: Averill
authors: UT Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX.
authors: Jair C
authors: JC
authors: Soares
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007508:Irritable Mood; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies