Landmark study into bipolar in children and young people
A recent study by Course and Outcome of Bipolar Illness in Youth
COBY found that children and teen-agers with bipolar disorder
suffer from the illness differently than adults do with their
symptoms lasting longer and changing more swiftly from hyper to
lethargy and depression.
In this first major study by COBY psychiatrist conducted a study
of over 400 patients some for over five years to determine the
effects of bipolar in young people and children.
Dr Martin Keller a front liner in designing and conducting
long-term studies of major psychiatric disorders says "Bipolar
disorder severely impairs functioning and has a high rate of
related psychiatric and physical health issues, such as anxiety
and substance abuse,"
Bipolar disorder also known as manic-depressive illness is
distinguished by dramatic mood changes, energy levels and
behaviour. Sufferers can swing from one extreme (mania, which
can be accompanied by extreme irritability, lack of sleep, poor
judgment, restlessness and impulsiveness.) To the other extreme,
depression, this can be branded by hopelessness, tiredness and,
in some cases, suicidal tendancies. These manic and depressive
episodes are interspersed with milder symptoms and impaired
function in a mainstream of sufferers.
The study showed that these symptoms run a longer course with
children and young people and in many of the cases the mood
swings were even more dramatic and switched within shorter
intervals than usual in adult cases.
Many of those with Bipolar otherwise specified developed Bipolar
or Bipolar II. While researchers supposed that such conversions
might transpire, this is the first comprehensive study to
clearly document the phenomenon.