Abstract
The existence of bipolar disorder in adolescents is now clearly established. However, whether bipolarity exists in children is more controversial. We reviewed the literature on acute and prophylactic treatment of bipolar disorder in youths. The guidelines for the treatment of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents are generally similar to those applied in adult practice. But no evidence-based data support the use of mood stabilisers or antipsychotics since we only found two placebo-randomised controlled trials testing the efficacy of lithium in the paediatric literature. Therefore, we support the view that prescriptions should be limited to the most typical cases. In fact, the use of mood stabilisers or antipsychotics in the treatment of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents appears to be of limited use when a comorbid condition, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, occurs unless aggressive behaviour is the target symptom.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Carlson GA, Bromet EJ, Sievers S (2000) Phenomenology and outcome of subjects with early- and adult-onset psychotic mania. Am J Psychiatry 157(2):213–219
Geller B, Luby J (1997) Child and adolescent bipolar disorder: a review of the past 10 years. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 36(9):1168–1176
Kowatch RA, Fristad M, Birmaher B, Wagner KD, Findling RL, Hellander M (2005) Treatment Guidelines for Children and Adolescents With Bipolar Disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 44(3):213–235
Lewinsohn PM, Klein DN, Seeley JR (1995) Bipolar disorders in a community sample of older adolescents: prevalence, phenomenology, comorbidity, and course. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 34(4):454–463
Carlson GA (1990) Child and adolescent mania–diagnostic considerations. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 31(3):331–341
Goodwin FK, Jamison KR (1990) Manic-depressive illness. New-York: Oxford University Press
Carlson GA, Fennig S, Bromet EJ (1994) The confusion between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in youth: where does it stand in the 1990s? J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 33(4):453–460
Calderoni D, Wudarsky M, Bhangoo R, Dell ML, Nicolson R, Hamburger SD, et al. (2001) Differentiating childhood-onset schizophrenia from psychotic mood disorders. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 40(10):1190–1196
Carlson GA, Bromet EJ, Driessens C, Mojtabai R, Schwartz JE (2002) Age at onset, childhood psychopathology, and 2-year outcome in psychotic bipolar disorder. Am J Psychiatry 159(2):307–309
Geller B, Zimerman B, Williams M, Delbello MP, Frazier J, Beringer L (2002) Phenomenology of prepubertal and early adolescent bipolar disorder: examples of elated mood, grandiose behaviors, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts and hypersexuality. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 12(1):3–9
Pavuluri MN, Birmaher B, Naylor MW (2005) Pediatric bipolar disorder: a review of the past 10 years. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 44(9):846–871
Nicolas JD, Consoli A, Périsse D, Cohen D, Mazet P (2005) Manie et désinhibition sexuelle chez l’adolescente : intrications médico-légales et thérapeutiques. Neuropsychiatrie de l’enfant 53:142–148
Biederman J, Faraone SV, Mick E, Wozniak J, Chen CS, Ouellette C, et al. (1996) Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and juvenile mania : an overlooked comorbidity? J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 35(8):997–1008
Carlson GA (2005) Early onset bipolar disorder: clinical and research considerations. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 34(2):333–343
McClellan J (2005) Commentary: treatment guidelines for child and adolescent bipolar disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 44(3):236–239
Charfi F, Cohen D (2005) TDHA et trouble bipolaire sont-ils liés? Neuropsychiatrie de l’enfance et de l’adolescence 53:121–127
Harrington R, Myatt T (2003) Is preadolescent mania the same condition as adult mania? A British perspective. Biol Psychiatry 53(11):961–969
Strober M, DeAntonio M, Schmidt-Lackner S, Freeman R, Lampert C, Diamond J (1998) Early childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder predicts poorer response to acute lithium therapy in adolescent mania. J Affect Disord 51(2):145–151
Mueller C, Orvaschel H (1997) The failure of ‘adult’ interventions with adolescent depression: what does it mean for theory, research and practice? J Affect Disord 44(2–3):203–215
Ryan ND, Bhatara VS, Perel JM (1999) Mood stabilizers in children and adolescents. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 38(5):529–536
Kowatch RA, DelBello MP (2003) The use of mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics in children and adolescents with bipolar disorders. CNS Spectr 8(4):273–280
Bhangoo RK, Lowe CH, Myers FS, Treland J, Curran J, Towbin KE, et al. (2003) Medication use in children and adolescents treated in the community for bipolar disorder. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 13(4):515–522
Pande AC, Crockatt JG, Janney CA, Werth JL, Tsaroucha G (2000) Gabapentin in bipolar disorder: a placebo-controlled trial of adjunctive therapy. Gabapentin Bipolar Disorder Study Group. Bipolar Disord 2(3 Pt 2):249–255
Brumback RA, Weinberg WA (1977) Mania in childhood. II. Therapeutic trial of lithium carbonate and further description of manic-depressive illness in children. Am J Dis Child 131(10):1122–1126
DeLong GR, Nieman GW (1983) Lithium-induced behavior changes in children with symptoms suggesting manic-depressive illness. Psychopharmacol Bull 19(2):258–265
Gram LF, Rafaelsen OJ (1972) Lithium treatment of psychotic children and adolescents. A controlled clinical trial. Acta Psychiatr Scand 48(3):253–260
McKnew DH, Cytryn L, Buchsbaum MS, Hamovit J, Lamour M, Rapoport JL, et al. (1981) Lithium in children of lithium-responding parents. Psychiatry Res 4(2):171–180
Varanka TM, Weller RA, Weller EB, Fristad MA (1988) Lithium treatment of manic episodes with psychotic features in prepubertal children. Am J Psychiatry 145(12):1557–1559
Kafantaris V, Coletti DJ, Dicker R, Padula G, Kane JM (2003) Lithium treatment of acute mania in adolescents: a large open trial. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 42(9):1038–1045
Strober M, Morrell W, Burroughs J, Lampert C, Danforth H, Freeman R (1988) A family study of bipolar I disorder in adolescence. Early onset of symptoms linked to increased familial loading and lithium resistance. J Affect Disord 15(3):255–268
State RC, Frye MA, Altshuler LL, Strober M, DeAntonio M, Hwang S et al. (2004) Chart review of the impact of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder comorbidity on response to lithium or divalproex sodium in adolescent mania. J Clin Psychiatry 65(8):1057–1063
Geller B, Cooper TB, Sun K, Zimerman B, Frazier J, Williams M, et al. (1998) Double-blind and placebo-controlled study of lithium for adolescent bipolar disorders with secondary substance dependency. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 37(2):171–178
Kafantaris V, Coletti DJ, Dicker R, Padula G, Pleak RR, Alvir JM (2004) Lithium treatment of acute mania in adolescents: a placebo-controlled discontinuation study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 43(8):984–993
Malone RP, Delaney MA, Luebbert JF, White MA, Biesecker KA, Cooper TB (1995) The lithium test dose prediction method in aggressive children. Psychopharmacol Bull 31(2):379–382
Silva RR, Campbell M, Golden RR, Small AM, Pataki CS, Rosenberg CR (1992) Side effects associated with lithium and placebo administration in aggressive children. Psychopharmacol Bull 28(3):319–326
Hagino OR, Weller EB, Weller RA, Washing D, Fristad MA, Kontras SB (1995) Untoward effects of lithium treatment in children aged four through six years. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 34(12):1584–1590
Papatheodorou G, Kutcher SP (1993) Divalproex sodium treatment in late adolescent and young adult acute mania. Psychopharmacol Bull 29(2):213–219
Deltito JA, Levitan J, Damore J, Hajal F, Zambenedetti M (1998) Naturalistic experience with the use of divalproex sodium on an in-patient unit for adolescent psychiatric patients. Acta Psychiatr Scand 97(3):236–240
Wagner KD, Weller EB, Carlson GA, Sachs G, Biederman J, Frazier JA, et al. (2002) An open-label trial of divalproex in children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 41(10):1224–1230
Kowatch RA, Suppes T, Carmody TJ, Bucci JP, Hume JH, Kromelis M, et al. (2000) Effect size of lithium, divalproex sodium, and carbamazepine in children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 39(6):713–720
Findling RL, McNamara NK, Gracious BL, Youngstrom EA, Stansbrey RJ, Reed MD, et al. (2003) Combination lithium and divalproex sodium in pediatric bipolarity. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 42(8):895–901
Kowatch RA, Sethuraman G, Hume JH, Kromelis M, Weinberg WA (2003) Combination pharmacotherapy in children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. Biol Psychiatry 53(11):978–984
Davanzo P, Gunderson B, Belin T, Mintz J, Pataki C, Ott D, et al. (2003) Mood stabilizers in hospitalized children with bipolar disorder: a retrospective review. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 57(5):504–510
James AC, Javaloyes AM (2001) The treatment of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 42(4):439–449
Isojarvi JI, Laatikainen TJ, Pakarinen AJ, Juntunen KT, Myllyla VV (1993) Polycystic ovaries and hyperandrogenism in women taking valproate for epilepsy. N Engl J Med 329(19):1383–1388
McIntyre RS, Mancini DA, McCann S, Srinivasan J, Kennedy SH (2003) Valproate, bipolar disorder and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Bipolar Disord 5(1):28–35
O’Donovan C, Kusumakar V, Graves GR, Bird DC (2002) Menstrual abnormalities and polycystic ovary syndrome in women taking valproate for bipolar mood disorder. J Clin Psychiatry 63(4):322–330
Rasgon NL, Altshuler LL, Gudeman D, Burt VK, Tanavoli S, Hendrick V, et al. (2000) Medication status and polycystic ovary syndrome in women with bipolar disorder: a preliminary report. J Clin Psychiatry 61(3):173–178
Werry J (1991) Childhood and adolescent schizophrenic, bipolar, and schizoaffective disorders : a clinical and outcome study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 30(3):457–465
Kafantaris V, Coletti DJ, Dicker R, Padula G, Kane JM (2001) Adjunctive antipsychotic treatment of adolescents with bipolar psychosis. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 40(12):1448–1456
Soutullo CA, Sorter MT, Foster KD, McElroy SL, Keck PE (1999) Olanzapine in the treatment of adolescent acute mania: a report of seven cases. J Affect Disord 53(3):279–283
Masi G, Mucci M, Millepiedi S (2002) Clozapine in adolescent inpatients with acute mania. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 12(2):93–99
Delbello MP, Schwiers ML, Rosenberg HL, Strakowski SM (2002) A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of quetiapine as adjunctive treatment for adolescent mania. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 41(10):1216–1223
Frazier JA, Meyer MC, Biederman J, Wozniak J, Wilens TE, Spencer TJ, et al. (1999) Risperidone treatment for juvenile bipolar disorder: a retrospective chart review. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 38(8):960–965
Frazier JA, Biederman J, Tohen M, Feldman PD, Jacobs TG, Toma V, et al. (2001) A prospective open-label treatment trial of olanzapine monotherapy in children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 11(3):239–250
Barzman DH, DelBello MP, Kowatch RA, Gernert B, Fleck DE, Pathak S, et al. (2004) The effectiveness and tolerability of aripiprazole for pediatric bipolar disorders: a retrospective chart review. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 14(4):593–600
Pavuluri MN, Henry DB, Carbray JA, Sampson G, Naylor MW, Janicak PG (2004) Open-label prospective trial of risperidone in combination with lithium or divalproex sodium in pediatric mania. J Affect Disord 82(Suppl 1):S103–111
Charfi F, Cohen D, Houeto JL, Soubrie C, Mazet P (2004) Tardive dystonia induced by atypical neuroleptics: a case report with olanzapine. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 14(1):149–152
Raja M, Azzoni A (1996) Tardive dystonia. Prevalence, risk factors and clinical features. Ital J Neurol Sci 17(6):409–418
Woods SW, Martin A, Spector SG, McGlashan TH (2002) Effects of development on olanzapine-associated adverse events. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 41(12):1439–1446
Cohen D, Nicolas JD, Flament MF, Perisse D, Dubos PF, Bonnot O, et al. (2005) Clinical relevance of chronic catatonic schizophrenia in children and adolescents: evidence from a prospective naturalistic study. Schizophr Res 76(2–3):301–308
Ghaziuddin N, Kutcher SP, Knapp P, Bernet W, Arnold V, Beitchman J, et al. (2004) Practice parameter for use of electroconvulsive therapy with adolescents. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 43(12):1521–1539
Rey JM, Walter G (1997) Half a century of ECT use in young people. Am J Psychiatry 154(5):595–602
Bloch Y, Levcovitch Y, Bloch AM, Mendlovic S, Ratzoni G (2001) Electroconvulsive therapy in adolescents: similarities to and differences from adults. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 40(11):1332–1336
Kutcher S, Robertson HA (1995) Electroconvulsive therapy in treatment-resistant bipolar youth. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 5:167–175
Cohen D, Dubos PF, Basquin M (1997) Use of electroconvulsive therapy in the adolescent. Encephale 23(4):308–311
Ghaziuddin N, Laughrin D, Giordani B (2000) Cognitive side effects of electroconvulsive therapy in adolescents. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 10(4):269–276
Walter G, Rey JM (1997) An epidemiological study of the use of ECT in adolescents. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 36(6):809–815
Cohen D, Taieb O, Flament M, Benoit N, Chevret S, Corcos M, et al. (2000) Absence of cognitive impairment at long-term follow-up in adolescents treated with ECT for severe mood disorder. Am J Psychiatry 157(3):460–462
Taieb O, Flament MF, Corcos M, Jeammet P, Basquin M, Mazet P, et al. (2001) Electroconvulsive therapy in adolescents with mood disorder: patients’ and parents’ attitudes. Psychiatry Res 104(2):183–190
Walter G, Rey JM, Mitchell PB (1999) Practitioner review: electroconvulsive therapy in adolescents. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 40(3):325–334
Strober M, Morrell W, Lampert C, Burroughs J (1990) Relapse following discontinuation of lithium maintenance therapy in adolescents with bipolar I illness: a naturalistic study. Am J Psychiatry 147(4):457–461
Strober M, Schmidt-Lackner S, Freeman R, Bower S, Lampert C, DeAntonio M (1995) Recovery and relapse in adolescents with bipolar affective illness: a five-year naturalistic, prospective follow-up. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 34(6):724–731
Dailey LF, Townsend SW, Dysken MW, Kuskowski MA (2005) Recidivism in medication-noncompliant serious juvenile offenders with bipolar disorder. J Clin Psychiatry 66(4):477–484
Henry CA, Zamvil LS, Lam C, Rosenquist KJ, Ghaemi SN (2003) Long-term outcome with divalproex in children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 13(4):523–529
Findling RL, McNamara NK, Youngstrom EA, Stansbrey R, Gracious BL, Reed MD, et al. (2005) Double-Blind 18-Month Trial of Lithium Versus Divalproex Maintenance Treatment in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 44(5):409–417
Bauer MS, Mitchner L (2004) What is a “mood stabilizer”? An evidence-based response. Am J Psychiatry 161(1):3–18
Gerardin P, Cohen D, Mazet P, Flament MF (2002) Drug treatment of conduct disorder in young people. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 12(5):361–370
Hazell PL, Carr V, Lewin TJ, Sly K (2003) Manic symptoms in young males with ADHD predict functioning but not diagnosis after 6 years. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 42(5):552–560
Kent L, Craddock N (2003) Is there a relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorder? J Affect Disord 73(3):211–221
Geller B, Zimerman B, Williams M, Delbello MP, Bolhofner K, Craney JL, et al. (2002) DSM-IV mania symptoms in a prepubertal and early adolescent bipolar disorder phenotype compared to attention-deficit hyperactive and normal controls. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 12(1):11–25
Geller B, Warner K, Williams M, Zimerman B (1998) Prepubertal and young adolescent bipolarity versus ADHD: assessment and validity using the WASH-U-KSADS, CBCL and TRF. J Affect Disord 51(2):93–100
Gittelman R, Mannuzza S, Shenker R, Bonagura N (1985) Hyperactive boys almost grown up. I. Psychiatric status. Arch Gen Psychiatry 42(10):937–947
Carlson GA, Jensen PS, Findling RL, Meyer RE, Calabrese J, DelBello MP, et al. (2003) Methodological issues and controversies in clinical trials with child and adolescent patients with bipolar disorder: report of a consensus conference. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 13(1):13–27
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Sanofi-Synthélabo laboratory for its financial support in clinical research on the outcome of adolescent bipolar disorders.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Consoli, A., Deniau, E., Huynh, C. et al. Treatments in child and adolescent bipolar disorders. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 16, 187–198 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-006-0587-7
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-006-0587-7