ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, and Depression in Children
Jeffrey R. Strawn, MD, FAACP, University of Cincinnati
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder (BD) may share an underlying biological etiology, Dr. Strawn explained. Shared risk factors include in utero events, dietary factors, and genetics. Differentiating ADHD from BD depends on the developmental stage of the patient. Symptoms overlap, which could lead to overdiagnosis of ADHD in youths with BD.
Dr. Strawn discussed how children with depression might display mood lability and irritability, rather than verbalizing feelings because they do not use language effectively until age 7. Children may have somatic symptoms early and irritability might decrease into adolescence. Anxiety disorder in children emerges early—usually as a phobia—around age 12 to 14, with an increase in onset of depressive disorders. Dr. Strawn reviewed screening tools to diagnose and track anxiety symptoms, as well as the pros and cons of pharmacological treatments.