A recent study examined the prevalence of childhood-onset bipolar disorder in over 500 outpatients in the United States, revealing significant differences compared to European counterparts. The average age of participants was 42 years, with a focus on their age at the onset of their first episode, family history, and experiences of childhood trauma.
The findings indicated that 61% of participants in the US reported that their bipolar disorder began during childhood or adolescence. In stark contrast, only 30% of participants from The Netherlands and Germany reported similar early onset. This discrepancy raises questions about the varying rates of childhood bipolar disorder between the two regions.
Additionally, the study noted that individuals in the US cohort experienced double the levels of childhood adversity and had a greater genetic predisposition to affective disorders. These factors may contribute to the higher reported rates of early-onset bipolar disorder in the United States.
The researchers emphasized the need for further investigation into these findings to understand the underlying factors contributing to this disparity. Replicating the study in different settings could provide more clarity on the incidence and onset of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents across various cultural contexts.
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