Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder Essay.

Introduction

Mood disorders affect children’s mood, feelings, behaviors, thoughts and perceptions. Mania and depression are common disorders of identifiable mood disorders in today’s population. Bipolar disorders in adults have been effectively managed with pharmacotherapy and other cognitive, social and behavioral therapies. However, in children, it remains a controversial topic that most scientists are still trying to identify whether it really exists or not and whether it can be diagnosed. This paper supports the position to agree that pediatric bipolar depression disorder can be diagnosed in childhood.Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder Essay.

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Arguments “for”- Diagnosing Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder

The diagnosis of mental illness follows the Diagnostic and statistical Method (DSM) that stipulates the presenting symptoms, risk factors, and the management plan. Current practice uses DSM-5, which has been updated from DSM-3. However, there is no precise information about pediatric bipolar disorder in these manuals, either manic or depressive (Goldstein et al., 2019). Several studies argue that most children and adolescents may experience changing mood that is not consistent as experienced in depression (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)—as such, diagnosing depressive bipolar disorder may be difficult in children. According to Dubicka& Wilkinson (2018), children with depressive symptoms respond quickly to first and second-time therapy compared to depressed adults. Significantly, several studies still question the safety of anti-depressants in children, hence the use of psycho and behavioral therapy is used.Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder Essay.

Consequences of Diagnosing Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder

Pediatric bipolar disorder or manic-depressive disorder is a mental health condition, which causes affected adolescents to experience mood swings involving alternation of mania and depression episodes. To be diagnosed with bipolar depression disorder (BDD), an adolescent should have experienced at least one manic episode. Intermittent depressive episodes are also included in diagnosing BDD in most children and adolescents (Thapar, 2015). Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder Essay.Occasionally, they have mixed symptoms, with mania and depression occurring together. Internationally, bipolar disorders in adults and adolescents cause a burden to the people around the patient. Even though there is a variation of BDD prevalence, the severity, patterns of comorbidity, and impact are similar for adults and adolescents. There are prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic implications for untreated BDD (Stahl, 2014). Therefore, the existence of pediatric bipolar depression disorder should not be ignored.Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder Essay.

Children and adolescents with BDD experience depressive episodes involving symptoms such as sadness, crying, frequent or persistent irritability, and thought of suicide or death. He or she may lose interest in their favorite activities and have low energy levels. Other signs of depression include alcohol or drug abuse, fatigue, low concentration, physical complaints, change in eating, insomnia, or markedly decreased need for sleep.Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder Essay. Manic episodes produce feelings of excessive silliness, grandiosity, unusual happiness, and sometimes severe irritability. During a manic episode, the adolescent may show increases in energy levels or activity, excessive talking, unrealistically high self-esteem, and agitation.Adolescents can develop risky and unusual behaviors such as sexual promiscuity, wild spending sprees, reckless driving, drug abuse, grandiose, and suicidal thoughts (Zeanah et al., 2016).Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder Essay.

The signs and symptoms of bipolar depression disorder BDD are the same as those of adults. Children with BDD experience symptoms in distinct episodes. Between the episodes, children and adolescents return to their usual mood and behavior. Even though the diagnosis can be challenging due to other mental illnesses present with similar symptoms, people should not ignore that adolescents may be diagnosed with BDD (Sadock et al., 2014).  Besides, parents and guardians should not ignore adolescents’ mood swings, behavioral problems, or depression as they may signify the presence of BDD.Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder Essay.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Dubicka, B., & Wilkinson, P. O. (2018). Latest thinking on antidepressants in children and young people.

Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiz, P. (2014). Kaplan &Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry: Behavioral sciences/clinical psychiatry (11th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.

Stahl, S. M. (2014). Prescriber’s Guide: Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology (5th ed.). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

Thapar, A., Pine, D. S., Leckman, J. F., Scott, S., Snowling, M. J., & Taylor, E. A. (2015). Rutter’s child and adolescent psychiatry (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Blackwell

Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder Debate

Some debate in the literature exists specific to whether or not bipolar disorder can be diagnosed in childhood. While some have anecdotally argued that it is not possible for children to develop bipolar disorder (as normal features of childhood confound the diagnosis), other sources argue that pediatric bipolar disorder is a fact.Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder Essay.

In this paper you will discusswhether pediatric bipolar disorder is possible to diagnose. Likewise, you will also discuss from the opposite point of view why it is not possible to diagnose the disorder.Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder Essay.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Evaluate diagnosis of pediatric bipolar depression disorder.
• Analyze consequences to diagnosing or failing to diagnose pediatric bipolar depression disorder.Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder Essay.

To Prepare for the Discussion:

Review the Learning Resources concerning the controversy over the diagnosis of pediatric bipolar depression disorder.

Resources

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

• “Bipolar and Related Disorders”
• “Depressive Disorders”

Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiz, P. (2014). Kaplan & Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry: Behavioral sciences/clinical psychiatry (11th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.

• Chapter 31, “Child Psychiatry” (pp. 1226–1253)

Stahl, S. M. (2014). Prescriber’s Guide: Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology (5th ed.). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

Zeanah, C. H., Chesher, T., & Boris, N. W. (2016). Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with reactive attachment disorder and disinhibited social engagement disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 55(11), 990–103. Retrieved from http://www.jaacap.com/article/S0890-8567(16)31183-2/pdf

Thapar, A., Pine, D. S., Leckman, J. F., Scott, S., Snowling, M. J., & Taylor, E. A. (2015). Rutter’s child and adolescent psychiatry (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Blackwell.

• Chapter 62, “Bipolar Disorder in Childhood” (pp. 858–873)
• Chapter 63, “Depressive Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence” (pp. 874–892)

Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder Essay.

Write:

• In one page discuss whether and why pediatric bipolar depression disorder should be diagnosed in adolescents.
• In one page discuss whether and why pediatric bipolar depression disordershould not and or cannot be diagnosed in adolescents.Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder Essay.

Support both position with evidence and examples. Include an introductory and conclusive paragraph.Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder Essay.