A Case of Manic-Depressive Illness in Childhood

A case of manic-depressive illness in a boy of 14 is presented and discussed. The illness began at the age of 12, before the onset of puberty, and conformed with most of the criteria set out by Anthony and Scott for the diagnosis of manic depressive illness in childhood. Some of the literature on bi-polar affective illness in childhood is reviewed and the case is discussed.