Bipolar disorder is one of the most serious psychiatric pathologies that most often begins in adolescence and requires lifelong care. It is essential to promote the early diagnosis of this disorder to avoid complications and the risk of suicide. To do this, the High Authority for Health (HAS) has just published its recommendations in technical sheets and a practical guide.
Paying attention to changes in behavior during adolescence
Bipolar disorders mainly begin in the last years of adolescence between 15 and 19 years old. Even if at this age mood swings can be common and non-pathological, doctors and parents must be attentive to changes in behavior that break with the usual functioning of adolescents (withdrawal, dropping out of school, risky behavior, taking psychoactive substances, etc.).
Search the background
Bipolar disorders are difficult to diagnose. This is why health professionals must always think about it when dealing with depression. They must look for a history of mania or hypomania and certain indicators of bipolarity such as the onset of depression before the age of 25, a family history of bipolar disorder, a sudden change in psychic functioning, more than 3 history of depressive episodes, atypical depressive symptoms, repeated suicide attempts or an abnormal reaction to antidepressant treatment.
Establish appropriate support
In this case, the attending physician must carry out an interview and a clinical examination to establish a diagnosis, contact a psychiatrist to confirm the diagnosis, prescribe the appropriate treatment and set up joint monitoring.
“Bipolar disorder is one of the most serious psychiatric pathologies, which leads to suicide attempts: 1 out of 2 patients will make at least one suicide attempt in their lifetime and 15% will die by suicide. In France, it is estimated that between 1 and 2.5% of the population is affected by this disorder, but this figure would be underestimated ”recalls the health organization.
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