Don't Overreach for Subthreshold Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

Any lifetime history of psychotic symptoms, however, was significantly and negatively associated with progression to BP I/II, "something we still don’t fully understand," Dr. Axelson said. Patients with a history of psychotic symptoms were 71% less likely to convert to BP I/II.

Having a family history of mania or hypomania is "a useful predictor, because more kids with family history did convert, however it’s not so strong that you can say it’s definitive," he said. "Lots of kids who had a family history didn’t progress, and a full third of the kids who didn’t have a family history progressed."

Dr. Axelson reported having no financial disclosures.