Bipolar Disorders in a Community Sample of Older Adolescents: Prevalence, Phenomenology, Comorbidity, and Course

This article reports on a study which used structured diagnostic interviews administered to a community sample of 1,709 older adolescents. Compared to adolescents with a history of major depression (n=316) & a “never mentally” ill group (n=845), the bipolar & core positive subjects both exhibited significant functional impairment & high rates of comorbidity (particularly with anxiety & disruptive behaviour disorders), suicide attempts, & mental health sevices utilization. (38 Refs.)