Referral Criteria

The Mood Disorder Centre of Ottawa is dedicated to long-term study of the transmission, progression and treatment of Bipolar Disorders. To this end, we have specific referral criteria for patients and their families who may be suitable for assessment and potential long-term follow-up in the clinic and criteria for consultation for a specific, clinical question we are well placed to answer.

Referral criteria to consider a patient for the research program and long-term clinical care:

Adults

1. suffering from either bipolar disorder or recurrent depression with family history of bipolar disorder

2. having a child/children in the age range

3. able to have a regular clinic contact.

Children/adolescents

1. psychiatrically ill child/youth whose parent has bipolar disorder and is available to take part in the assessment

2. child/youth with an identified recurrent mood disorder or likely bipolar disorder re: diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

Exclusion criteria

1. acute medical illness

2. pending charges

3. if in treatment, a referral without the knowledge of your psychiatrist.