Childhood Bipolar Disorders Research Findings

By Sandra Kiume
February 16, 2006

Data is beginning to be reported from the COBY, or Course and Outcome of Bipolar Illness in Youth, study - the most ambitious study of childhood and adolescent onset bipolar disorders ever undertaken.

More than 500 youths were followed for up to five years.

2 million American adults live with bipolar disorders and the Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation estimates over 750,000 youths are affected as well. Understanding differences manifest in adults and youth is key to providing improved, more appropriate treatment.

A group of 263 children and adolescents, ages 7-17 years, were studied for two years. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) sponsored research yielded interesting results. Among the findings reported in the Archives of General Psychiatry:

the first confirmation of the phenomenon of milder bipolar subtypes converting to more severe forms (20 percent of those with bipolar II converted to bipolar I and 25% of bipolar NOS became I or II)
symptoms were worse than in adults, and in youths with bipolar I (the most severe subtype) they lasted significantly longer than in adults
mood swings (cycling), changes in symptoms, polarity shifts and mixed episodes were more frequent
the earlier the onset, the more symptoms, with worse outcomes in childhood onset
60% had symptoms in follow-up visits
12% experienced psychosis and 15% made a suicide attempt or gesture
subjects averaged 1.5 recurrences, especially depressive episodes, over two years

“For clinicians and parents, this study demonstrates the importance of systematic assessment and follow-up,” said Jeffrey Hunt, M.D., a clinical associate professor of psychiatry and human behavior and a child psychiatrist at Bradley Hospital.

More findings will be published in coming months.

Sandra Kiume is a mental health advocate and editor of Channel N who lives in Vancouver, Canada.