The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Spectrum Services (CABS) of UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital is hosting its fourth conference on Pediatric Bipolar Spectrum Disorders, with special emphasis on “comorbid conditions.”
Early and correct diagnosis is critical in youth with Bipolar Spectrum Disorders. However, given that youth with Bipolar Disorders often are accompanied by other psychiatric disorders that are manifested with similar symptoms (e.g., Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Substance Use Disorders), it can be challenging to make an accurate diagnosis. This is very important to avoid inappropriate treatments that can worsen the symptoms of bipolar disorder and/or cause unnecessary side effects. Moreover, the identification of comorbid disorders is crucial because they can negatively impact the course of Bipolar Disorders indicating the need to treat both, the bipolar disorder and the other disorders with evidence-based treatments.
The goals of this conference are to discuss clinical experience and research findings regarding the:
Differential diagnosis of Bipolar Disorders from other psychiatric disorders.
The psychosocial and pharmacological treatments of pediatric bipolar disorder with comorbid conditions.
The keynote presentation will be given by Boris Birmaher, MD a Professor of Psychiatry in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, endowed chair in early-onset bipolar disease.