Bipolar Disorder in Child Psychiatric Practice: A Case Report

Abstract

Bipolar disorder in children is unrecognized for many reasons including lack of awareness, diagnostic confusion, and the different clinical picture in children. The disorder has not been well studied in prepubertal children, despite its potentially debilitating effects on growth and development. It may be comorbid with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder (CD) or it may demonstrate features of ADHD and CD. A bipolar child should be treated using a biopsychosocial approach. We present the case of a 11- year-old Zambian girl with Bipolar disorder comorbid with ADHD and Anxiety disorder (AD). Treatment issues are discussed, and some reasons for the urgency of early recognition and treatment are explained. To the best of our knowledge this is the first documented pediatric case of BD from Zambia.