Controversies regarding bipolar disorder in preschool age: case report

Abstract

There is some discussion concerning the phenomenology of pediatric bipolar disorder. This condition is marked by irritability and sudden mood swings, and has no specific diagnostic criteria. Disagreement is even greater for bipolar disorder in preschool age.

We report the case of a child of four years and nine months with diagnosis of bipolar disorder not otherwise specified. Predominant symptom presents as irritability with outbursts of anger, verbal aggression and strange and grandiose utterances, all of them with a very fluctuating temporal pattern.

We found similar cases and discrepancies in previous publications. It has been suggested that patients with nonepisodic irritability may receive a diagnosis of severe mood dysregulation disorder. Further studies on mood disorders in preschool children are required.