Psychotic symptoms in pediatric bipolar disorder and family history of psychiatric illness

Background: Few studies have examined the specificity and non-specificity in patterns of familial loading for presentation of psychotic symptoms in pediatric bipolar disorder (BP). Methods: Diagnostic assessment of 263 pediatric BP probands included lifetime history of psychotic symptoms as well as longitudinal follow-up; family history of psychiatric illness was determined for 1st degree relatives. Results: Pediatric BP probands with lifetime, history of psychosis had a higher percentage of positive family history of anxiety disorders and suicide attempts as compared to probands with no history of psychosis. Discussion: Familial loading for a spectrum of internalizing disorders is associated with presentation of psychotic symptoms in pediatric BP. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.