Review article
Impulsiveness in bipolar disorder and its spectrum in children and adolescents

Recently, along with an increasing amount of research on bipolar disorder and hence better understanding of the nature of this disorder, attention has been redirected at early detection – the group of children and adolescents. This group, being heterogeneous and dynamic, is a diagnostic challenge. Therefore it is important to determine the characteristic, predictive, and accelerative factors of the diagnostic process. At an early stage of development neurodevelopmental factors play an important role and identification of which and possible correction of any disturbances in neurotransmitter pathways in the central nervous system may result in an earlier and more effective reduction of symptoms and, by doing so, improve the quality of life. This paper presents and discusses results of current research analyzing impulsivity in bipolar disorder, both in the developing population and in adults, defined, inter alia, as a tendency to make poor decisions, difficult to postpone, and the act itself is done so quickly that it is impossible to assess the consequences. Useful tools are also presented, that can help evaluate this feature, which could play a significant role in many disorders amongst children and adolescents. Furthermore, impulsivity is also connected with the spectrum of proper behaviours, emotional maturation and formation of personality, and thus it should also be taken into consideration.