Exploring the controversy, the diagnosis and the treatment.

Diagnosing and treating children and adolescents with psychiatric or brain disorders has garnered much public attention over the past several years. Autism was in the headlines for an entire week last month and was featured as a cover story in the February 28 Newsweek. Depression in children made the headlines last year as experts discussed prescribing patterns and safety issues regarding antidepressant medications.

Add pediatric bipolar disorder to this list of high profile issues being discussed not only in academic and clinical settings, but also on the national stage. Time magazine featured this as a cover story in August 2002. Last month, the Washington Post ran …