Symptoms of Bipolar in Children

Posted by rinher on 14/06/2009

Adults come first to mind when manic depressive illness also known as bipolar disorder is mentioned. While symptoms of bipolar don’t begin to show most of the time until early adulthood, it is possible to find bipolar in children. Even more frustrating and frightening than bipolar in adults, it is important for family and friends to know all they can and be a strong support system for children with symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Is Bipolar in Children Different and How?

Children cannot understand the symptoms they’re experiencing and to voice their feelings, making it very difficult to diagnose children with bipolar.

It can be difficult to monitor how your child is doing, because symptoms are changing, if treatments are working, besides children going through many emotional and physical changes, including mood swings.

Very important to have a strong support system in family and friends who can closely monitor the child and help keep communication between the child and the care giver open. Bipolar in children is more complicated than bipolar in adults.

What are Bipolar Symptoms?

Bipolar disorder is marked by severe mood swings.  Generally, patients experience depressive episodes and manic episodes. There are cases, though, in which patients can also experience hypomanic episodes or mixed state episodes. Children experience these episodes, as well, but they may react to them differently, depending on their ages.

Depressive episodes include increased need for sleep, suicidal thoughts, fatigue, lethargy, feelings of hopelessness, lack of interest in activities and relationships. Oversensitivity, exaggerated emotional responses, fascination with gory or morbid topics, low self-esteem are some other depressive episode experienced by children.

Symptoms of manic episodes include a decreased need for sleep, rapid speech, racing thoughts, impulsive behavior, distractibility, and, in some cases, aggressive behavior.  These symptoms are all common in children, as well, and children suffering from a manic episode may also have temper tantrums, extreme irritability, “silly” behavior, and motor or vocal tics.

Hypomania is similar to mania, but less severe.  For many, hypomania seems like the person is just in a good mood, particularly when compared to a depressive episode.  A mixed state episode occurs when symptoms of depression and mania are present at the same time.

More Information – Where?

As well as ensuring that treatment is effective and helping your child manage his/her illness, first you must understand bipolar in children and its symptoms. Your child can be on the way to living a healthy and happy life if you know what to look for.

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