title: Bipolar disorder in children.
abstract: Although bipolar disorder historically was thought to only occur rarely in children and adolescents, there has been a significant increase in children and adolescents who are receiving this diagnosis more recently (Carlson, 2005). Nonetheless, the applicability of the current bipolar disorder diagnostic criteria for children, particularly preschool children, remains unclear, even though much work has been focused on this area. As a result, more work needs to be done to further the understanding of bipolar symptoms in children. It is hoped that this paper can assist psychologists and other health service providers in gleaning a snapshot of the literature in this area so that they can gain an understanding of the diagnostic criteria and other behaviors that may be relevant and be informed about potential approaches for assessment and treatment with children who meet bipolar disorder criteria. First, the history of bipolar symptoms and current diagnostic criteria will be discussed. Next, assessment strategies that may prove helpful for identifying bipolar disorder will be discussed. Then, treatments that may have relevance to children and their families will be discussed. Finally, conclusions regarding work with children who may have a bipolar disorder diagnosis will be offered.
authors.affiliation: University of Central Florida, P.O. Box 161390, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3513-3730
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Renk
authors.affiliation: University of Central Florida, P.O. Box 161390, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1645-9620
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: University of Central Florida, P.O. Box 161390, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
authors.forename: Brea-Anne
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1565-1813
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Lauer
authors.affiliation: University of Central Florida, P.O. Box 161390, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
authors.forename: Meagan
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7407-6337
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McSwiggan
authors.affiliation: University of Central Florida, P.O. Box 161390, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
authors.forename: Jayme
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5575-5078
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Puff
authors.affiliation: University of Central Florida, P.O. Box 161390, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8859-2140
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lowell