Bipolar Disorder
This chapter provides an overview of the most current research, causes, signs, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria of bipolar I and bipolar II disorder and cyclothymia.
Abstract
Bipolar disorder is a category of mood disorders that result in severe changes in a person’s mood and energy level. This chapter provides an overview of the most current research, causes, signs, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria of bipolar I and bipolar II disorder and cyclothymia. A discussion on the differences in the presentation of symptoms based on child or adolescents developmental level and on differential diagnosis is included. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is described in Chapter 5; however, it is revisited in this chapter because it was added as a new diagnosis beginning with the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to capture youth who experience significant difficulties but do not have the classic symptoms of BD. The chapter ends with an overview of common assessment tools, real-life case studies, and questions for class discussion.