Bipolar disorder in children has been seen as early as age 6. Of course, with children, you have to observe them long enough to know what their normal child behavior patterns are opposed to their bipolar behavior. Also, you have to take into account other problems that children develop that can overlap with bipolar disorder in children. But the same basic criteria that an adults diagnosis is based are used to diagnose children. It has to be modified a bit though because of the age.
Symptoms for Children with Bipolar Disorder
Children with bipolar disorder are often misdiagnosed as having attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). This is because ADHD and bipolar disorder share similar symptoms like hyperactive, irritable and being easily distracted. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that the child has bipolar mania due to these symptoms. Signs that are specific to bipolar disorder and not ADHD are sleeping too much, unusual sexual activities, jubilant and euphoric moods, flights of ideas and grandiose behaviors.
The children with grandiose behaviors often think that rules and regulations do not apply to them. This goes as far as telling authority figures and others what they should do because they think they are so smart. Some have even had delusions of grandeur in thinking they are almost superhuman. Children with bipolar disorder usually only sleep about 4 to 6 hours nightly and do not shows signs of being tired the following day. They could do such activities as playing games all night or moving furniture.
Bipolar children and bipolar adolescents with mania also show increased signs of unusual sexual activity and can be very flirtatious for their age. They may also try to touch others, including adults, in private areas and they may use very explicit sexual language.
Moods that are associated with bipolar mania are having euphoric moods almost hysterical to being very happy. You as an outsider would probably think that they are about to go to an exciting event or place. Teachers and parents usually are the first to notice these mood changes. When talking; children change topics rapidly because they have so many ideas running around their head even though it is not triggered by anything.
The other symptoms for bipolar children are the tendency to have many cycles of these behaviors during a day's time. Going from the elated high moods all the way down to heavy depressed moods that can even cause suicide attempts.
Bipolar Children Disorder Treatments
The same medications that are often prescribed for adults who are bipolar are used to treat children and teenagers. Mood stabilizing agents such as lithium for one, valproate, and Tegretol (carbamazepine) have been thought to be of use in treating children. More studies are being done on this though. There is concern in many sectors for long time use of medication in children though.
Make sure your child is properly diagnosed before medicating them. Since ADHD and bipolar disorder can overlap in some of their symptoms this is a difficult job to tell the difference. Make sure to use a doctor who has a background with bipolar disorder in children to treat your child. - 16004
Symptoms for Children with Bipolar Disorder
Children with bipolar disorder are often misdiagnosed as having attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). This is because ADHD and bipolar disorder share similar symptoms like hyperactive, irritable and being easily distracted. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that the child has bipolar mania due to these symptoms. Signs that are specific to bipolar disorder and not ADHD are sleeping too much, unusual sexual activities, jubilant and euphoric moods, flights of ideas and grandiose behaviors.
The children with grandiose behaviors often think that rules and regulations do not apply to them. This goes as far as telling authority figures and others what they should do because they think they are so smart. Some have even had delusions of grandeur in thinking they are almost superhuman. Children with bipolar disorder usually only sleep about 4 to 6 hours nightly and do not shows signs of being tired the following day. They could do such activities as playing games all night or moving furniture.
Bipolar children and bipolar adolescents with mania also show increased signs of unusual sexual activity and can be very flirtatious for their age. They may also try to touch others, including adults, in private areas and they may use very explicit sexual language.
Moods that are associated with bipolar mania are having euphoric moods almost hysterical to being very happy. You as an outsider would probably think that they are about to go to an exciting event or place. Teachers and parents usually are the first to notice these mood changes. When talking; children change topics rapidly because they have so many ideas running around their head even though it is not triggered by anything.
The other symptoms for bipolar children are the tendency to have many cycles of these behaviors during a day's time. Going from the elated high moods all the way down to heavy depressed moods that can even cause suicide attempts.
Bipolar Children Disorder Treatments
The same medications that are often prescribed for adults who are bipolar are used to treat children and teenagers. Mood stabilizing agents such as lithium for one, valproate, and Tegretol (carbamazepine) have been thought to be of use in treating children. More studies are being done on this though. There is concern in many sectors for long time use of medication in children though.
Make sure your child is properly diagnosed before medicating them. Since ADHD and bipolar disorder can overlap in some of their symptoms this is a difficult job to tell the difference. Make sure to use a doctor who has a background with bipolar disorder in children to treat your child. - 16004
About the Author:
Ken P Doyle has been well acquainted on the topic bipolar disorder for many years now. For more resourceful information on bipolar disorder children, check out his online resource site now.
