OBJECTIVES: To estimate the lifetime prevalence of bipolar II disorder in children and adolescents presenting with DSM-IV major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: Sixty-one consecutive subjects aged < or =18 years attending the outpatient services of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric (CAP) services of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India with a diagnosis of MDD were evaluated using the Missouri Assessment of Genetics Interview for children (MAGIC). Two psychiatrists, one of whom was a child psychiatrist diagnosed hypomania by consensus. RESULTS: Twelve children had a past episode of hypomania (20%), which was hitherto undiagnosed clinically. LIMITATIONS: We recruited subjects from a psychiatric hospital, thus limiting the generalizability of the finding. Sample size was relatively small and assessments were cross-sectional. CONCLUSIONS: : Our study shows that bipolar II disorder is often misdiagnosed as MDD in children. The study also highlights that the chance of diagnosing bipolarity is enhanced by using semi-structured interview in routine clinical practice.
OBJECTIVES: To estimate the lifetime prevalence of bipolar II disorder in children and adolescents presenting with DSM-IV major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: Sixty-one consecutive subjects aged < or =18 years attending the outpatient services of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric (CAP) services of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India with a diagnosis of MDD were evaluated using the Missouri Assessment of Genetics Interview for children (MAGIC). Two psychiatrists, one of whom was a child psychiatrist diagnosed hypomania by consensus. RESULTS: Twelve children had a past episode of hypomania (20%), which was hitherto undiagnosed clinically. LIMITATIONS: We recruited subjects from a psychiatric hospital, thus limiting the generalizability of the finding. Sample size was relatively small and assessments were cross-sectional. CONCLUSIONS: : Our study shows that bipolar II disorder is often misdiagnosed as MDD in children. The study also highlights that the chance of diagnosing bipolarity is enhanced by using semi-structured interview in routine clinical practice.
Authors: Marc J Weintraub; Eric A Youngstrom; Sarah E Marvin; Jennifer L Podell; Patricia D Walshaw; Eunice Y Kim; Robert L Suddath; Marcy J Forgey-Borlick; Brittany N Matkevich; David J Miklowitz Journal: J Psychiatr Pract Date: 2014-03 Impact factor: 1.325