(copy) NHASP Fall Conference: Evidence-Based Assessment of Severe Mood Disorders in Children & Adolescents: Installing the Update in Our Practices

Mood disorders are chronic, recurring, serious, and potentially life-threatening. If left untreated, episodes are likely to grow more severe and resistant to treatment. Bipolar disorders are also some of the most commonly undetected or misdiagnosed conditions in mental health, with years passing between when the illness causes problems versus getting appropriate treatment. For all of these reasons, it is vital to accurately recognize bipolar disorder, as well as feeling confident when youths have other conditions instead of bipolar disorder.

This workshop discusses the controversy around the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in elementary-, middle school-, and high school-age youths, as well as current evidence about its validity. Participants will learn to identify the similarities and differences between bipolar disorder as seen in youths and as seen in adults. Participants will also learn to recognize the risk factors that might indicate possible bipolar disorder, as well as how to select and interpret evidence-based assessment strategies to increase confidence in case formulation and to measure the severity of mood problems as they affect youth in school and other settings. During the later part of the workshop, participants will work in small groups on guided exercises and discussions to gain experience applying techniques to cases from elementary through high school.

If you have questions about this event, please contact NHASP president Nate Jones Nate Jones .

1. Identify similarities and differences between the typical presentation of bipolar disorder in youths and the classic adult presentation.
2. Define the components of an evidence-based assessment of bipolar disorder.  
3. Describe the "bipolar spectrum"-including cyclothymic disorder and other specified bipolar and related disorder
4. Recognize base rates of bipolar in different settings, and how these compare to benchmarks for other disorder
5. Apply new evidence-based assessment methods to help guide clinical decisions about individual cases. 

Eric Youngstrom, Ph.D., is a professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he is also the Acting Director of the Center for Excellence in Research and Treatment of Bipolar Disorder. He is the first recipient of the Early Career Award from the Division of Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology, and is an elected full member of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. He has consulted on the 5th Revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). He chairs the Work Group on Child Diagnosis for the International Society for Bipolar Disorders.

Dr. Youngstrom has served as the Director of the Data Management and Statistical Analysis Unit and Research Methods Core of the Center for Research in Bipolar Disorder across the Life Cycle. 

Dr. Youngstrom is currently on the Education Committee and the Research Committee of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders. Dr. Youngstrom was the principal investigator on a five year grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH066647) and co-investigator of a second, multi-site R01, both designed to improve the assessment of bipolar disorder in diverse community samples. He has received grants from the NIMH, the Ohio Department of Mental Health, Cuyahoga County, and the Schubert Center for Child Development, and has been principal or co-investigator on more than $30 million in funded projects. 

7:15am: Registration Opens

8-9am: Identify similarities and differences between the typical presentation of bipolar disorder in youths and the classic adult presentation: Discuss revisions to DSM-5 criteria and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

9-10am: Learn about “spectrum” bipolar disorders such as cyclothymia and Other Specified Bipolar and Related Disorders and associated impairment and course

10am: Morning Break

10:15-11am: Learn base rates in different settings,such as public schools, outpatient services, forensic settings, and inpatient units; and how to use these benchmarks to evaluate efficiently

11am-noon: Use assessment procedures to aid in differential diagnosis and measuring response to treatment

Noon: Lunch

1pm-2:00pm: Apply new methods for interpreting test results, including methods taking into account clinical settings where we work

2:00: Afternoon Break

2:15-3:30pm: Apply methods to vignette and discuss, Question and Answer session

3:30pm: Conference Ends

(Registration fee includes continental breakfast, morning and afternoon snack, and lunch. If you have specific dietary needs, please indicate this when you register.  You can also contact  with questions.)

This program is co-sponsored by NHASP and NHPA. NHPA is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. NHPA maintains responsibility for the program. NHASP is a NASP approved provider of CPD hours and Certificates of Attendance will be accepted toward NCSP. A total of 6 CE credits will be awarded for this event.

All registrations must be prepaid. PURCHASE ORDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS EVENT. Cancellations received prior to October 20th, 2014 will be refunded less a 5% administrative fee.  No refunds will be provided for cancellations received after 5pm on Monday, October 20th, 2014. In case of inclement weather, notification of postponement will be made by email as soon as possible.

Please click the button to the left to register online. 

If you have questions about registration, please contact Nate Jones Nate Jones .

If you would like to register completely on paper and/or pay for your registration by check, please download this form.,