More than medication: The importance of family treatments for pediatric bipolar disorder. Issue 1 (6th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: MacPherson, Heather A.
• Is Part Of: Brown University child and adolescent behavior letter. Volume 36:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 6
• Publication Date: 2019-12-06
• Subjects: Behavior disorders in children -- Periodicals; Behavior disorders in adolescence -- Periodicals; Child psychiatry -- Periodicals; Adolescent psychiatry -- Periodicals; Developmental disabilities -- Periodicals; 618.928905
• DOI: 10.1002/cbl.30433
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-1073

Abstract

Abstract : Pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) is a chronic and debilitating illness characterized by episodic mood disturbance (e.g., extreme irritability, euphoria, and/or depression), accompanying symptoms (e.g., energy shifts, sleep disruption, cognitive disturbance of self/abilities, suicidality), high rates of comorbidities, and considerable functional impairment. Although PBD has biological underpinnings, cognitive, behavioral, and environmental stressors can trigger or exacerbate depressive and manic symptoms. Thus, while pharmacotherapy is effective for controlling biological contributions to mood episodes, psychotherapy is also necessary to target psychosocial factors that may activate or worsen symptoms in PBD, and to address associated academic, interpersonal, and functional impairment.