| Abstract: | The assessment and diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children remains challenging and controversial. How can the debate be resolved? This article highlights the components of a nomological network that can be applied to the validation of the construct of child-onset bipolar disorder, including phenomenology, course and prognosis, etiology, and treatment response. That is, if a particular set of symptoms coheres, has a similar time course and outcome, is explained by the same etiological mechanisms, and responds similarly to treatment, then it is reasonable to conclude that the construct is a valid representation of the disorder. Additionally, developmental issues relevant to each aspect of the network (e.g., continuity over time and between typical and atypical development) are discussed. |
