Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Children With Bipolar Disorder

By Ken P Doyle

Even though it may be a serious matter, bipolar disorder is treatable. It is part of a growing list of mental disorders that have become quite common these days. It affects a persons vocational and social development. Also due to the serious psychological symptoms, the disorder can cause a change in a persons behavior. There is in excess of 2 million people in the US alone living with bipolar disorder. Bipolar is not only confined to adults today but also to children. It maybe common in late adolescence and early adulthood but it is not uncommon in children.

Bipolar Children

Though the diagnosis of bipolar in children is considered controversial and rare, according to studies it is estimated that 0.3% to 0.5% of children under the age of ten are affected with bipolar. However, some argue this finding. There has been an increase of over 40-fold from the year 1994 to the year 2003 and it still continues to rise. Other recent studies also suggest that bipolar can strike as early as the age of seven years old .A staggering number compared to previous years.

Bipolar in Adolescents

Late adolescence and early adulthood are usually the peak years for bipolar illness in this stage. Since these are the important and more crucial periods in the development of vocational and social aspects in a young adults life, people experiencing bipolar disorder in this time of their lives can be severely affected. About 2.6% of people aged 18 years and older suffer from bipolar in any given year.

In contrast to children, there is a slight difference in the symptoms of bipolar for both. For the professionals in the field of mental health, this presents a diagnostic challenge for them. When children have bipolar, they often exhibit explosive outbursts and irritable moods that are different to the predictable patterns and nature of bipolar symptoms. Kids with bipolar disorder also experience the cycles of manic depression far more rapidly compared to adult cases.

Bipolar disorders in children are most often overlooked due to the fact that some of the symptoms are close to those of mental disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD. In some cases, Bipolar even co-exists with ADHD.

In the case of bipolar in adults, many times it is not recognized as an illness because it is usually mistaken for other symptoms of postpartum psychosis, postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and substance abuse. Throughout the life of a person, it should be carefully managed because it is a long term disorder.

Having some knowledge on bipolar is important because of the possible cases that may cause bipolar to be overlooked. It is a fact that bipolar has led numerous people to commit suicide. It can be treated if done in at the right time and with proper management. - 16004

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