Treatment of mania in children and adolescents
Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a severe and complex illness that seriously disrupts the lives of those afflicted. Increased rates of suicide attempts and completions, poorer academic performances, disturbed interpersonal relationships, increased rates of substance abuse, legal difficulties, and multiple hospitalizations all have been associated with BPD. At least 1% of children and adolescents have this disorder. This commentary is designed to review and summarize the recent literature on the treatment of manic and/or hypomanic phases of BPD in children and adolescents,