Bipolar Disorder

Treatment of Children

Mayo Clinic's child and adolescent psychiatrists have extensive experience and special expertise in diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder. Physicians at hospitals nationwide refer patients to Mayo Clinic's Pediatric Mood Clinic for bipolar disorder diagnosis and treatment. Researchers at Mayo are working to develop better and safer drug treatment options for children and adolescents who have bipolar disorder.

Pediatric bipolar disorder is challenging to diagnose because it often co-exists with other childhood psychiatric conditions. Mayo's skilled psychiatry and psychology specialists collaborate with doctors in other specialties to perform a comprehensive evaluation to make the appropriate diagnosis for every patient. Mayo doctors generally treat childhood bipolar disorder with a combination of one or more medications and psychotherapy.

Mayo Clinic specialists create an individualized treatment plan and assist with developing a school education plan to address each child's needs. Parents and children are actively involved in the treatment decision-making process. The treatment team works closely with the child and family to provide them with extensive education about managing this chronic disorder.

Doctors also teach children stress management techniques and other tools to empower them to cope with this lifelong illness. Patients who do not have access to psychotherapy services in their hometown have the opportunity to be mentored by older Mayo patients who are in the remission phase of pediatric bipolar disorder.

Children and adolescents with bipolar disorder often have other medical problems. Psychiatry and psychology specialists work with other Mayo specialists to coordinate treatment for all of the patient's medical and psychological conditions.

When a patient leaves Mayo Clinic, his or her Mayo doctor will consult with the patient's hometown doctor to adjust the treatment plan, as needed. Mayo specialists follow up with the patient and family to carefully monitor the child's response to medications and therapy.

Appointments

For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 507-538-3270 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, or complete an online appointment request form.