Bipolar Disorder (BD)

The assessment typically begins with a comprehensive clinical interview conducted with parents and the child/adolescent to gather information about the individual's psychiatric history, including the onset and course of mood symptoms, family history of psychiatric disorders, medical history, and any relevant psychosocial factors. The interview may also explore specific symptoms of bipolar disorder, such as mood episodes (manic, hypomanic, depressive) and functional impairments.

 

Bipolar disorder can be associated with cognitive deficits, particularly during mood episodes. Neuropsychological tests are used to assess various cognitive domains, including attention, memory, executive functions, processing speed, and verbal and visual-spatial abilities. These assessments help identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses and may inform treatment planning and cognitive rehabilitation strategies. Neuropsychological assessment may include measures of mood symptoms and severity, such as standardized rating scales for depression, mania/hypomania, and personality factors. The results of the assessment are integrated to develop a comprehensive understanding of the individual's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral profile in the context of bipolar disorder. This information guides treatment planning and may inform the selection of evidence-based interventions, such as pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, cognitive remediation, and lifestyle interventions.