Abstract
Bipolar disorder is an episodic disease having manic and depressive symptoms. Tough mean age of onset for bipolar disorder is 18-20, onset during preadolesance period is also rarely reported. First symptoms are usually recognised at 15-19 years of age. Childhood bipolar disorder's frequency and characteristics are not exactly clear. In children, irritability, hyperactivity and abnormal mood (generally nervousness and sadness) should remind us the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. In contrast with adults, episodes are shorter and recovery between the episodes is less common and some of the symptoms may show a continuous pattern. In clinical practice, response to the mood stabilizing treatment is more important than apperance of all symptoms of manic episode to confirm the diagnosis in children. In this study, the clinical follow up of four cases, with the prediagnosis of bipolar disorder who had 'hyperactivity, attention deficit syptoms, suicidal thoughts and nervousness' as initial symptoms which were treated with mood stabilizing treatment, have been presented. In this study it has been aimed to discuss both the diagnosis and the treatment in the highlight of< the literature.
Keywords: BPD, ADHD, childhood, mood disorder.
