Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access

Hypomania spectrum disorder in adolescence: A 15-year follow-up of non-mood morbidity in adulthood

5^th International Conference on Pediatric Nursing & Healthcare

July 11-12, 2016 Cologne, Germany

Aivar Paaren

Uppsala University, Sweden

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Pediat Therapeut

Abstract :

Background: We investigated if adolescents with hypomania spectrum episodes have an excess risk of mental and somatic morbidity in adulthood, as compared to adolescents exclusively reporting major depressive disorder (MDD) and controls without mood disorder. Methods: A community sample of adolescents (N=2300) was screened for depressive symptoms. Participants with positive screening and matched controls were diagnostically interviewed. Ninety participants reported hypomania spectrum episodes (40 full-syndromal, 18 with brief episode, and 32 subsyndromal), while another 197 had MDD without a history of a hypomania spectrum episode. A follow up after 15 years included a blinded diagnostic interview, a self-assessment of personality disorders, and national register data on prescription drugs and health services utilization. Results: There were no significant differences between the adolescents with hypomania spectrum disorder and MDD regarding subsequent adult non-mood Axis I disorders (53% vs. 57%), personality disorders (29% vs. 20%), pattern of disorders or other health outcomes. Compared to adolescents without mood disorders, both groups had a higher subsequent risk of mental morbidity, utilized more mental health care, and received more psychotropic drugs. Conclusions: Adolescents with hypomania spectrum disorder and adolescents with MDD do not seem to differ substantially in health outcome, challenging the diagnostic value of less severe symptoms of hypomania in adolescents. However, both groups are at increased risk of subsequent mental health problems and should be carefully followed.

Biography :

Email: aivar.paaren@neuro.uu.se