Make a connection, ask a question, share a concern, give advice or just chat. Our message boards connect you with a community of people who understand where you’re coming from and what you’re going through.
All too often I see arguments about "big pharma trying to drug kids to death," and how we shouldn't treat childhood onset BP with medications. Well, I came across an interesting article today I would like to share.
For those diagnosed with childhood onset BP (<13 years old):
quote:
They experienced more days depressed, more days in which both mania and depression occurred within a 24-hour period (ultradian cycling), and greater number of manic and depressive episodes throughout their lives. The patients also had an increased risk of substance abuse, a greater lifetime risk of suicide attempts, higher prevalence of lifetime anxiety disorders, and greater resistance to treatment.
What can be concluded from this:
quote:
"The information contained in this report and additional mounting evidence suggest that early detection, diagnosis, and treatment are essential for determining effective treatment outcomes and, subsequently, quality of life for those affected with bipolar disorder."
Obviously treatment needs to be tailored on an individual basis to patient diagnosis, preference, and tolerance, but blanket condemnations of diagnosing and treating childhood onset BP are clearly damaging.
Bipolar Community 
