Bipolar Disorder: Fristad M

Kowatch RA, Fristad M, Birmaher B, Wagner KD, Findling RL, Hellander M, Anonymous00051. · Department of Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical, OH 45267-0559, USA. · J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. · Pubmed #15725966 No free full text.

Abstract: Clinicians who treat children and adolescents with bipolar disorder desperately need current treatment guidelines. These guidelines were developed by expert consensus and a review of the extant literature about the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric bipolar disorders. The four sections of these guidelines include diagnosis, comorbidity, acute treatment, and maintenance treatment. These guidelines are not intended to serve as an absolute standard of medical or psychological care but rather to serve as clinically useful guidelines for evaluation and treatment that can be used in the care of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. These guidelines are subject to change as our evidence base increases and practice patterns evolve.

Carlson GA, Findling RL, Post RM, Birmaher B, Blumberg HP, Correll C, DelBello MP, Fristad M, Frazier J, Hammen C, Hinshaw SP, Kowatch R, Leibenluft E, Meyer SE, Pavuluri MN, Wagner KD, Tohen M. · Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York, USA. · J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. · Pubmed #19232018 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The 2006 Research Forum addressed the goal of formulating a research agenda for early-onset bipolar disorder (EOBP) and improving outcome by understanding the risk and protective factors that contribute to its severity and chronicity. METHOD: Five work groups outlined barriers and research gaps in EOBP genetics, neuroimaging, prodromes, psychosocial factors, and pharmacotherapy. RESULTS: There was agreement that the lack of consensus on the definition and diagnosis of EOBP is the primary barrier to advancing research in BP in children and adolescents. Related issues included: the difficulties in managing co-morbidity both statistically and clinically; acquiring adequate sample sizes to study the genetics, biology, and treatment; understanding the EOBP's developmental aspects; and identifying environmental mediators and moderators of risk and protection. Similarly, both psychosocial and medication treatment strategies for children with BP are hamstrung by diagnostic issues. To advance the research in EOBP, both training and funding mechanisms need to be developed with these issues in mind. CONCLUSIONS: EOBP constitutes a significant public health concern. Barriers are significant but identifiable and thus are not insurmountable. To advance the understanding of EOBP, the field must be committed to resolving diagnostic and assessment issues. Once achieved, with adequate personnel and funding resources, research into the field of EOBP will doubtless be advanced at a rapid pace.

Lofthouse N, Fristad M, Splaingard M, Kelleher K, Hayes J, Resko S. · Department of Psychiatry, The Ohio State University, Neuroscience Facility, 1670 Upham Drive, Room 560-A, Columbus, OH 43210-1250, USA. · J Pediatr Psychol. · Pubmed #18192301 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: As research on sleep difficulties associated with Early-Onset Bipolar Spectrum Disorders (EBSD) is limited, a web-based survey was developed to further explore these problems. METHODS: 494 parents of 4-to-12 year-olds, identified by parents as being diagnosed with EBSD, completed a web survey about past and current EBSD-related sleep problems. The survey included Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) items and sleep problems from the International Classification of Sleep Disorders 2nd edition. RESULTS: Nearly all parents reported some type of past or current EBSD-sleep problem. Most occurred during a worst mood period, particularly with mixed manic-depressive symptoms. Symptoms caused impairments at home, school, or with peers in 96.9% of the sample and across all three contexts in 64.0% of children. Sleep problems were also noted after three-day weekends and Spring and Fall Daylight Savings time changes. CONCLUSIONS: Findings, study limitations, and implications for treatment and etiology are discussed.

Lofthouse N, Fristad M, Splaingard M, Kelleher K. · Department of Psychiatry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210-1250, USA. · J Fam Psychol. · Pubmed #17371116 No free full text.

Abstract: Despite sleep problems being part of the diagnostic criteria for mood disorders, research on sleep difficulties related to early-onset bipolar spectrum disorders (EBSDs) is sparse. The authors examined the parent and child agreement, frequency, and severity of EBSD-related manic, depressive, and comorbid sleep problems. A sample of one hundred thirty-three 8- to 11-year-olds with EBSDs was assessed with parental and self-report measures of EBSD-related sleep problems. Dimensional and categorical measures indicated low agreement and high discrepancy between parent and child reports of EBSD sleep problems. Subsequent combination of parent-child data revealed the majority (96.2%) of children had moderate-to-severe sleep problems related to manic, depressive, or comorbid symptoms, either currently or during their worst mood period. More depression-related sleep problems than mania-related sleep problems were reported, especially initial insomnia. Over half the sample had sleep problems associated with current comorbidity, particularly separation anxiety disorder. These findings, their implications, and study limitations are discussed.

Johnson SL, Fristad M. · Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA. · J Clin Psychol. · Pubmed #18324663 No free full text.

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