Bipolar Symptoms in Bipolar Children
Bipolar disorder is a serious mood disorder that affects millions of people in the United States alone. And while most people think of adults when they think of people suffering from this disease, it’s not just adults who struggle with it. Children, even before puberty, can develop bipolar disorder symptoms, and bipolar disorder children can start exhibiting symptoms as early as the age of seven. Though the disease carries the same name, children’s bipolar disorder symptoms are different, and bipolar disorder children have very different experiences from adults with the illness.
Bipolar disorder, also called manic depression illness, is a mood disorder characterized by changes in mood from depression to manic episodes. There can also be periods of time that are considered “normal.” The length of time for the different episodes varies greatly depending on the individual. Another type of episode is called “mixed”. During a mixed episode, the person can experience symptoms of depression and mania simultaneously.
What Are The Symptoms of Bipolar In Children?
Depressive episode symptoms include feelings of hopelessness, overwhelming sadness, feeling that nothing goes right, low self esteem, fatigue, and changes in appetite. If depression is particularly bad, people may even have feelings or thoughts of suicide.
Many people who are experiencing a manic episode may have rapid or disjointed speech, restlessness and fidgeting, hyperactivity, insomnia, distractibility, even become aggressive, angry and difficulty concentrating.
In addition to many of the common symptoms associated with depressive and manic episodes, children experience many other symptoms. These symptoms may include separation anxiety, temper tantrums, night terrors, bed wetting (especially in boys), and motor or vocal tics.
As the child grows, one of the challenges with bipolar disorder in children is that the symptoms can change. There’s no standard for bipolar disorder symptoms in children and because of this, it is difficult to diagnose and maintain quality treatment in children.
How Is Bipolar Disorder In Children Treated?
Bipolar disorder symptoms in children are usually treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy which is similar that in adults. However, for children it is vital that you have a strong support system to keep tabs on the child. As a bipolar child grows, there is a possibility for the disease to change and with a strong support system it is a whole lot easier to make sure the child is getting the treatment needed to deal with the bipolar disorder.
In addition to the normal stresses of growing up Bipolar disorder is a serious illness, and can be even more serious when it affects children because of communication problems. Many times it can be confusing and heartbreaking to see children suffering.
The key to dealing with bipolar disorder in children is getting the right information. And the first information is you must understand the illness before you can help your child.