Hello. I am Steven M. Strakowski, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and psychology at the University of Cincinnati, where I also serve in the UC Health-attached academic health system as senior vice president and chief strategy officer. Today, I want to talk to you about the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in young people. Bipolar disorder in this age group has gained increasing attention in the last 5 years or so. At times, it has been a bit controversial. There have been concerns about it being overdiagnosed, for example. I think that some of the guidelines we will talk about today may help us think about this condition when faced with adolescents and kids who have it in our offices.
To begin, it's important to recognize that bipolar disorder is, in fact, a disorder of young people. The median age of onset is typically in the mid- to late-teens depending on the study to which you refer. Most patients will have the onset of their illness when they are under 21. It's a lifelong illness, so once it starts, we are then dealing with it for many years. It is particularly disruptive because it occurs at such a developmentally critical time.
COMMENTARY
What Is Unique About Bipolar Disorder in Young People?
Stephen M. Strakowski, MD
DisclosuresNovember 30, 2015
Hello. I am Steven M. Strakowski, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and psychology at the University of Cincinnati, where I also serve in the UC Health-attached academic health system as senior vice president and chief strategy officer. Today, I want to talk to you about the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in young people. Bipolar disorder in this age group has gained increasing attention in the last 5 years or so. At times, it has been a bit controversial. There have been concerns about it being overdiagnosed, for example. I think that some of the guidelines we will talk about today may help us think about this condition when faced with adolescents and kids who have it in our offices.
To begin, it's important to recognize that bipolar disorder is, in fact, a disorder of young people. The median age of onset is typically in the mid- to late-teens depending on the study to which you refer. Most patients will have the onset of their illness when they are under 21. It's a lifelong illness, so once it starts, we are then dealing with it for many years. It is particularly disruptive because it occurs at such a developmentally critical time.
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Cite this: What Is Unique About Bipolar Disorder in Young People? - Medscape - Nov 30, 2015.
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Authors and Disclosures
Authors and Disclosures
Author
Stephen M. Strakowski, MD
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Psychology, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; Senior Vice President, Strategy and Transformation, University of Cincinnati Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
Disclosure: Stephen M. Strakowski, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Roche; Procter & Gamble; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Sunovion
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Roche; Procter & Gamble; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Sunovion; Oxford University Press