Did You Know?

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teens today.
  American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2010
• Over 30% of bipolar youths have made a suicide attempt.
  Goldstein, T.R., et.al., Bipolar Discord, 2005
• Over two million children in North America suffer from Bipolar Disorder and another 6% of children are severely impaired by Bipolar Disorder symptoms.
  American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2010
• Over 60% of children and adolescents suffering from Bipolar Disorder also suffer from ADHD, 50% also suffer from anxiety disorders, 20% also suffer from conduct disorder and autism spectrum disorder.
  Wozniak, J., Journal of the Amer. Acad. of Child and Adolesc. Psychiatry, 1997; Kowatch, R.A., Bipolar Discord, 2005
• Bipolar youth show worse performance on cognitive tests of attention, memory, processing speed, verbal learning, and problem solving, thus requiring tutoring and special education.
  Doyle, A.E., et.al., Biological Psychiatry, 2005
• 34% of adolescents with Bipolar Disorder suffer an alcohol, drug abuse or addiction problem and 14% suffer from problems with both alcohol and drugs.
  Wilens, T., et.al., Journal of the Amer. Acad. of Child and Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2004
• For every year of illness left unidentified and untreated, bipolar youth have a 10% lower likelihood of effective treatment.
  Birmaher, B., American Journal of Psychiatry, 2007; Birmaher, B., Archives of General Psychiatry, 2006
• Bipolar Disorder affects children and adolescents more severely than adults.
  Geller, B., et.al., Archives of General Psychiatry, 2008
• 65% of adults with Bipolar Disorder report that their symptoms started in childhood or adolescence. These adults with early onset have more severe disease with more suicide and substance abuse problems.
  Perls, R.H., et.al., Biological Psychiatry, 2004
• Children with Bipolar Disorder grow up to be adults with Bipolar Disorder.
  Geller, B., et.al., Archives of General Psychiatry, 2008