Section - Quick Takes

01. Symptoms and Characteristics of Youth Hospitalized for Depression: Subthreshold Manic Symptoms Can Help Differentiate Bipolar From Unipolar Depression

Published on March 1, 2022 Expired on April 1, 2024

James Phelps, M.D.

Research Editor - Psychopharmacology Institute

Key Points

Although the study is admittedly somewhat tautological, the authors’ recommendation is clear and data-based: A systematic inquiry regarding manic symptoms is useful when the presenting problem is depression, and using the Young Mania Rating Scale is a structured way to do so.
Another research group is screening for bipolar disorder using criteria based on lived bipolar experience that veer strongly away from DSM criteria.

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Text version

Billy shows up at age 15 with depression. Does he have bipolar I and just hasn’t had his first manic episode yet? Is there any way to detect bipolarity in a young person who is presenting with depression?

Hi! Jim Phelps here for the Psychopharmacology Institute. A new article in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology is tantalizing because it speaks directly to this clinical challenge. The very title raises hopes. Dig this: Subthreshold manic symptoms can help differentiate bipolar from unipolar depression. Well, let’s take a look.

The investigators looked back in their electronic medical record for kids 12 to 17 years old who had been admitted with depression and had received at admission both a Hamilton Depression Scale and the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). This turned up over 600 children who were classified into 4 groups according to discharge diagnoses: Bipolar I, bipolar II, unipolar, and

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02. Treatment Implications of Sleep‑Related Problems in Pediatric Anxiety Disorders: A Narrative Review of the Literature

Learning Objectives:

After completing this activity, the learner will be able to:

Examine the items of the Young Mania Rating Scale for their ability to discriminate between unipolar and bipolar depression among hospitalized youth.
Review the literature on the treatment of co-occurring anxiety and sleep problems in children and adolescents.
Compare suicide rates among patients randomized to lithium or placebo among veterans with a prior suicide attempt.
Use the concepts of absolute and relative risk to understand the outcomes of a cohort study looking at mortality rates in COVID-19 infection among people taking SSRIs vs matched controls.
Assess the efficacy of fluvoxamine for the prevention of illness progression in patients with recently diagnosed COVID-19 infection.

Original Release Date: March 1, 2022

Review Date: March 1, 2024

Expiration Date: April 1, 2024

Relevant Financial Disclosures:

None of the faculty, planners, and reviewers for this educational activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose during the last 24 months with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Contact Information: For questions regarding the content or access to this activity, contact us at support@psychopharmacologyinstitute.com

Instructions for Participation and Credit:

Participants must complete the activity online during the valid credit period that is noted above.

Follow these steps to earn CME credit:

View the required educational content provided on this course page.
Complete the Post Activity Evaluation for providing the necessary feedback for continuing accreditation purposes and for the development of future activities. NOTE: Completing the Post Activity Evaluation after the quiz is required to receive the earned credit.
Download your certificate.