Childhood-Onset Bipolar Disorder, ADHD and Psychotic Illness

Dr. Janet Wozniak, MD

As many as 2/3 of adults seen for bipolar clinical services had a pediatric onset to their illness. Psychosis has been reported in 15%-60% children and young adolescents with bipolar disorder.  Pediatric onset bipolar disorder has high rates of comorbidity with ADHD, which can continue into adult years.  Despite high rates of persistence and morbidity, there is skepticism as to whether bipolar disorder can start in the early years of life.  This presentation will discuss the course, characteristics and validity pediatric onset bipolar disorder with a focus on continuity into adult years. 

Dr. Janet Wozniak received her undergraduate degree from Harvard College, and her medical training at Cornell University Medical College. Dr. Wozniak completed her adult and child psychiatry training at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). She has since received an Eli Lilly Pilot Research Award, the Elaine Schlosser Lewis Award and Claflin Distinguished Scholar Award. At MGH, she is the director of the Pediatric Bipolar Disorder Clinical and Research Program and the director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Service. Dr. Wozniak’s research focuses on the characteristics, longitudinal course and treatment of pediatric bipolar disorder. Widely regarded as a national expert on the topic of pediatric bipolar disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Dr. Wozniak is the author of dozens of scientific articles.
Full Biography

Zoom Link: https://harvard.zoom.us/meeting/register/dB_fyeJXT56ysa_qpHA5yQ