BIPOLAR DISORDER

Bipolar disorder (BPD)

Table of Contents

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Diagnostic Criteria

HOME

MDQ Screening Tool

What can look like BPD?

Symptoms Exercise

Treatment Strategies

Medications for BPD

Informational Videos

This resource is for educational purposes only. A professional medical evaluation is necessary to establish any diagnosis and/or select any treatment.

Andrew Oreshkov, MD Candidate 2024 Rush Medical College

Additional Resources

Bipolar Disorder (BPD)

What is Bipolar Disorder?

• Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a psychiatric condition that causes changes in an individual's mood, energy, and ability to function in daily life. There can be both episodes of elevated mood and also depressed mood.
• There are two major types of BPD and each presents differently. The main feature of the condition is manic or hypomanic episodes, which are defined on the next page.

The number of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder is estimated to be between 0.6% and 3.9%.

HOME

DSM-5 Diagnostic criteria

Bipolar II Disorder

Bipolar I Disorder

For a diagnosis of bipolar II disorder, it is necessary to meet criteria for at least one hypomanic episode: and at least one major depressive episode: There must never have been a manic episode, and the hypomanic episode(s) and major depressive episode(s) must not be better explained by a different disorder.

For a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, it is necessary to meet the following criteria for a manic episode: The manic episode may have been preceded by and may be followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes.

HOME

Source

Mood disorder questionnaire (MDQ)

The MDQ can be used to help screen patients for symptoms of bipolar disorder but it is not a diagnostic tool. In order for a diagnosis to be made, a physician must make an evaluation.

Scoring is discussed here:

HOME

What can look like BPD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)Borderline personality disorderConduct disorderDisruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)Oppositional defiant disorderSchizophreniaSubstance use disorderUnipolar depression

Click each magnifying glass to learn more!

HOME

Sources

A lot less need for sleep

Sad, empty, hopeless

Can't sit still or feel like you're moving slow

very increased self-esteem

Elevated symptoms

Depressive symptoms

Symptoms are significant & occur together during an episode that may last for days.

Feeling out of control and doing more dangerous things than usual

Hard to concentrate throughout the day

Fast racing thoughts

Loss of energy almost every day

Feeling really worthless or guilty

More talkative than normal

Attention easily drawn to unimportant things

Don't want to do things you usually want to do

Has there been a specific Period Where you've felt multiple of these At once? Drag below!

Thoughts about wanting to die

Super energetic mood for days

HOME

Therapies

Therapies

Psychotherapy

Medication

Treatment of pediatric bipolar disorder involves primarily medication and therapy.

• Mood stabilizers

• Antipsychotics

• *Antidepressants

Interpersonal & social rhythm therapy (IPSRT)PsychoeducationCognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)Family-focused therapy

*Only as add-on therapy in patients with bipolar major depression.

Sources

HOME

BIPolar MEDications

Hover over each medication for more information!

Antipsychotics

Mood Stabilizers

Source:

• quetiapine (Seroquel)
• aripiprazole (Abilify)
• risperidone (Risperdal)
• ziprasidone (Geodon)
• lurasidone (Latuda)
• olanzapine (Zyprexa)

• lithium (Lithobid)
• divalproex sodium (Depakote)
• carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro)
• lamotrigine (Lamictal)

HOME

Learning about BPD

Click through these videos to learn about what BPD is, what signs and symptoms are often present in children, how to differentiate BPD I from BPD II, and one perspective on what it is like to raise a child with BPD.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

BPD Signs/Symptoms in Children

HOME

Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II

Raising Sadie: A Mom's Perspective

Additional resources

Online Resources

DBSA Support Groups

HOME

Great books to learn about bipolar & acquire actionable strategies!

HOME

Child Mind Institute