"Your child is on top of the world laughing, excited and full of confidence, the next thing you know they can be talking about suicide. There might be tantrums, crying, even threats of violence, what could be possibly be happening. Well the answer might be bipolar disorder which used to be called manic depression. That diagnosis in children has increased in the past ten years, but there are still some questions of what exactly the symptoms are?” These were the words of Winnie King hosting the program called “Keeping Kids Healthy”.

The Two Angle Approach

These bipolar symptoms can be looked at from two different angles. One is through the eyes of the bipolar adolescent child and the other from those on the outside, especially those who have to deal with the patient on a daily basis. These can include parents or immediate families, teachers, doctors or psychiatrists and other relevant stake holders.

Symptoms from the Victim

When explaining their bipolar symptoms, children will usually describe the emotional highs and lows of the illness. Their experience could be summed up in this quote “It is a cycle I go with it every day, I start with a high and go down to low but normal in between, crash and start all over again.” Usually the mind is the one they have to go against with one side saying to get better yet on the other side they do not want to get well. It is a battle raging within and no matter what we say or do from the outside we cannot alter the situation. In most cases it makes it worse when we try to intervene. One effective way to intervene and control those electric neuron transmitters running wild in the brain is to use bipolar medication which has proved successful for many.

Bipolar from an Onlooker

As an onlooker we can only see the actions and emotions exposed by a child with the disease.  Common complaints from parents are; “He would be banging his head against the wall, saying things like I want to be dead, give me a knife. Sometimes just the word NO or DON’T can set up a set of angry reactions with things flying and angry words being spoken.” Some parents even experience constant verbal abuse from their children.

Act and Do not React

SO, what can you do as a parent? As a parent or caregiver you can, beside the usual medication, give your Adolescent child a break, just give them time to think and evaluate their actions. It is important to remember that what is happening in your child is something they have no control over. Since your child does not have any self control they get frustrated and those disappointments could lead to other unruly actions or behaviors.

Difficulties in Diagnosing Adolescent

Diagnosing adolescent bipolar children can be complex for any doctor, especially at this stage of physical and mental human development. Bipolar symptoms in young adolescent may be similar to that of young children, and older adolescent (young adults) is closer to that of adult symptoms. At times you may think you child is suffering from bipolar when really it may only be a phase of growing up. If you really do think his/her moods are extreme beyond normal then seek an evaluation from a doctor.

Hope

While we all hope and pray that one day our child will get better, sometimes our hope can turn to despair. This has happened in many cases but yet bipolar parents continue to fight the good fight. Even though your ill child may or may not get better you can only promise to give the best when things look bleak. Ultimately, your love for your adolescent bipolar child is being tested and sometimes they need you to hang on just as much as they are.

What is Bipolar 2?

Bipolar 2 is a mental health problem that is similar to the traditional form of bipolar disorder in the sense that it involves mood swings from highs and lows. The main difference, however, centers on the fact that the highs do not reach the stage of full blown mania. Specifically, these up swings are commonly referred to as hypomania. While these up swings are serious, they do not present the extremes of bipolar 1 mania.

The depressive phase of bipolar 2 is essentially just as severe as what one that suffers from bipolar 1 would embody. As such, it is important to stress that the inclusion of a “2” at the end of condition does not mean this is a minor condition. It is simply a different manifestation of the disorder and remains a serious condition.

Of course, just as bipolar disorder is a serious condition for an adult, it is even more difficult for a child. This is because the child may understand there is a problem but cannot ascertain that the problem derives from mental health problems. This is why it is important for parents and guardians to recognize the common symptoms of bipolar in a child.

Bipolar Disorder Children Symptoms

Bipolar children cases will share many of the same common traits that adults with the condition will present. Namely, the children will embody mood swings and episodes that will surely be indicative of a problem. For example, the child could swing from calm, happy, and placid to engaging in aggressive behavior and temper tantrums in a short period of time.

Also, bipolar disorder children cases have a tendency to go hand in hand with behavioral problems at school. Often, teachers will comment that the child can be quiet, calm, and behaved at one point and then disruptive and problematic with little or no provocation. Of course, this is the result of the bipolar 2 manifestation and not a behavioral or conduct problem.

Far too often children that are struggling with the onset of bipolar 2 are dismissed as having conduct issues. The child is then usually (and condescendingly) referred to as a “bad kid”. The real issue here is that the child is suffering from a mental health disorder. As such, proper professional help is needed.

Professional Help

If your child is embodying these problems, it becomes necessary to seek a diagnosis from a qualified mental health professional. This is the only way to truly ascertain the specific problem that is contributing to the child’s behavior. And, of course, it is the first step in reversing the ravages of the condition as well.

Bipolar disorder is a definition that is used for people who have periods of elevated moods and can also become depressed for periods of time too. The term bipolar is also called manic depression because of the two opposite extremes. Bipolar is diagnosed by a psychiatrist based on moods that are verified as hyper meaning high or hypo meaning lower. Manic is a loose term because those with bipolar disorder often have thoughts of unusual psychosis. Bipolar in Children has become a new problem for parents to deal with since so much information has been given national attention. Bipolar disorder children have trouble concentrating and often feel defeated or depressed.

Signs of Bipolar in Children?

Since signs of bipolar can be misdiagnosed by people who think that a person is bipolar just because of the way they act are often misread. There is a general amount of time that certain mood swings last, people with elevated moods or those to the extreme such as adrenalin junkies, moods are elevated, when moods are decreased or fall below normal levels of functioning they are called depressed. Moods are factors in how we act or function in a certain situation, it’s when the mood is not removed from the situation that we find signs of bipolar. There is a pendulum that swings both ways when diagnosing people. They have both moods as even, extremely hyper or extremely hypo. Bipolar in Children is better recognized because normal mood swings are apparent but when they are extreme parents can see changes in a child’s behavior and moods based on daily life.

Overlapping of Bipolar Disorder Children Symptoms.

Moods affect everyone around you, if you are happy and everybody is down then a majority of moods will sway yours. Those who are depressed or sad while everybody is happy will allow their mood to shift too. People often throw the term bipolar around because they think that a person who can be happy one day and sad the next. There are some warning sign of bipolar disorder that people need to be aware of, when somebody is feeling down or depressed and talks of suicide, that’s a warning sign. Rarely are people who happy have such thoughts, the normal functioning person has normal moods. Bipolar disorder children are often thought of as lazy or too hyper, diagnosis of their moods helps doctors to find out the extreme between each.

Because bipolar disorder is often linked with other symptoms such as ADHD children are lumped into a category that defines them by how they manage their moods without medication. Parents should be aware that people who are quick to diagnose children are not always professionals. Find out what the criteria is to be bipolar, concentration problems or mood swings during puberty are not symptoms of bipolar. It’s a sticky label and once adhesives are used it’s hard to undo.

Diagnosis.

Diagnosing Bipolar in Children can be done in a doctor’s office. There is no blood test that can be taken to prove it exists though, many diagnosis are done by social workers, nurses and clinical psychologists. Parents who fear that their child may be bipolar can do an evaluation at home and base it on their moods during certain situations. Eating, sleeping and non reactive moods are the best indicators for parents to look for if they think their child is bipolar. Moods can last for minutes, hours or days, it depends on what triggers the mood and how long it last.

Children who are bipolar are not considered lost. Parents have many resources at their fingertips and a child who deals with bipolar disorder can lead a normal life. There are organizations that are designed to help parents with resources and support groups that help them cope with this all too common diagnosis. Parents should not blame themselves or the child, knowing early on is better than finding out too late. Children need advocates and parents are the best way to help them function when they don’t know what to do.

The symptoms of bipolar in children are due to a number of factors which may be emotional, environmental or neurological in nature. Most cases of the disease are due to a combination of environmental and biological factors. The exact cause, however, is still a subject of some debate.

Asperger's Syndrome

Asperger’s syndrome is often conflated with bipolar disorder in the diagnostic phase. This disorder is a development disorder which is similar to autism in its effects. The areas of social development and communicative abilities are profoundly affected.

Like bipolar disorder, the causes of this disorder are not known with any certainty. However, Asperger’s does tend to run in families, suggesting a hereditary factor. It is believed to have neurological and/or genetic root causes.

Misdiagnosis

Bipolar disorder children are sometimes misdiagnosed as having Asperger’s since the symptoms can present similarly – compulsive behaviors, aggressive episodes and strange habits. In both disorders, there can be behavioral, anger and social development problems.

Bipolar in children may of course also be afflicted with Asperger’s syndrome. However, it is unknown in these cases if the two disorders are related, with the same underlying neurological or genetic factors being responsible or if the two arise independently. Research is continuing into both disorders, with answers likely to come in the following decades.

Treatment Options

Bipolar medication that is given to bipolar children and those with Asperger’s syndrome tend to be similar. Since the symptoms of both disorders are similar, they are often treated using the same medications.

Counseling and therapy are also both employed in the treatment of bipolar in children and children with Asperger’s syndrome. This may be done alone or in conjunction with pharmaceutical therapies. While the majority of Asperger’s syndrome do not necessarily need medication, therapy is very helpful in teaching the patient to cope with the disorder. Bipolar children are usually given therapy regardless of whether or not they are treated with medication.

If you suspect that your child may be suffering from either bipolar disorder or Asperger’s syndrome, contact your physician or mental health care provider to have a diagnosis performed. This way, a course of treatment can be given.

This discovery will make it easier for bipolar disorder children to get the help they need at an early stage and have a normal life when they become adults. The proper treatment for bipolar in children is a source of dispute among professionals. Some want to use medications and therapy combined for treatment but parents and some mental health experts disagree with this method.

Bipolar in Children – Medication Downside

Parents do not like the effect bipolar medication has on their child’s personality. They seem to lose certain traits that make them enjoyable as a person. Both children and adults when medicated to excess or unnecessarily do not seem like the same person. A child may appear to be “zoned out” or unresponsive to things children normally react to. This is worrisome for a parent and makes them wonder if it is doing more harm than good to put their child on medication.

Many use play therapy to treat bipolar disorder children. This helps them to live a happier and more normal life. The technique is to present a situation to the child in which he or she must come up with a sensible and normal healthy solution. This may not work well for every child. They may need additional help. The mood swings and other bipolar children symptoms are sometimes severe enough to cause uncontrollable actions and unpredictable reactions to certain events.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT

Another useful therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy. Patients with bipolar disorder are taught to realize when they have symptoms and learn what triggers these symptoms. They learn alternatives for inappropriate behavior and mood swings. The patient will also learn what to do to avoid having episodes of mania or depression and better ways to deal with an episode if they have one. This treatment works very well in adults with and without medication.

It may be difficult to use cognitive behavioral therapy in children as it involves using thinking and problem abilities that are unlikely to be present in children. It is not considered for use in bipolar disorder children for this reason. Once a child reaches a certain age or age level, this method is used with success. If this type of therapy were brought down to the child’s level it could be used effectively some believe. This would likely be difficult to do.

Seek Advice for Bipolar in Children

Options for treatment need to be discussed with your child’s doctor, psychologists, parents, teachers, or anyone else involved your Childs life. This will help ensure better success in treating your child’s bipolar disorder. If anyone involved notices a problem or has concerns about any treatments for bipolar children symptoms, they should come forward immediately as changes may have to be made in treatment. If a child does not seem to be improving with treatment or medication, the parent may want to consider changing physicians.

Early Treatment of Bipolar Disorder Children

The benefits of early diagnosis of bipolar in children are many, but perhaps the most important fact is, their chances of being successfully treated and living normal lives are greatly improved. However, being children, providing treatment for them can be an extremely sensitive issue as parents and doctors often don't agree. In many cases, doctors favor medication as the primary treatment and recommend therapy only to augment the medication bipolar kids receive. On the other hand, a large percentage of parents and an increasing number of psychologists don't believe this to be the ideal course of action.

Of course it's understandable for parents to feel this way when one considers the effects which these medications can have on a child's personality traits. In fact, it's not only children, but adults as well that are vulnerable to the effects of bipolar medication. Many parents claim that such medications tend to deprive their kids of their unique individuality, often causing them to become increasingly despondent and in some cases, almost disconnected in a sense. With these effects having been reported on so many occasions, one cannot help but to wander if these kids would be better off without medication.

Therapy Treatment

One alternative treatment for bipolar disorder children, known as play therapy, has enjoyed much success in helping kids with this condition to enjoy happy childhoods. During this therapy, bipolar kids are put in various hypothetical situations and they are then encouraged to respond in an acceptable manner and to find solutions which are emotionally well balanced. One must however also realize that some bipolar children symptoms, such as mood swings, can be so severe that play therapy may well prove to be ineffective. In cases where the symptoms are this severe, the child may in fact have little or no control over their actions or even their emotions.

A relatively new line of therapy which involves teaching patients how to recognize the symptoms of bipolar disorder, as well as factors that could trigger mood swings, is known as cognitive behavioral therapy. Furthermore, patients are also taught how to avoid bouts of depression and how best to manage such episodes when they do occur. Adults in particular can benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, with or without medication.

Cognitive Therapy

One drawback of cognitive behavioral therapy is that it most often requires a relatively high degree of problem solving and lines of thinking which a child doesn't have, hence the reason why this form of therapy is not frequently used when treating bipolar kids. There is however those who feel that if the techniques were altered accordingly, this therapy could prove to be beneficial for treating bipolar in children but of course, there are others who argue that this is easier said than done.

Essentially, it's fundamental that absolutely everyone who is in some way involved with a bipolar kid, gets together in order to discuss the various treatment options. This includes not only the parents, but also psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, and even teachers. If parents or even a teacher becomes concerned with regards to the effect any treatment may be having on a child, it should be discussed as soon as possible and the necessary action taken, even it that means a change of doctor.

How common is Bipolar in Children?

The diagnosis of bipolar in children is considered controversial and very rare.   According to some studies, the onset of the disorder prior to the age of ten can be estimated to about 0.3% to 0.5% of the people affected with bipolar disorder. Some case reviews even suggest a prevalence rate that is higher than this figure. The number of bipolar kids has increased 40-fold from the year 1994 to the year 2003 and is currently continuing to increase in rate. Recent studies suggest that bipolar can strike as early as the age of seven years old and is now a more common case compared to the cases handled in the past.

Adolescent Bipolar

The peak years of the onset of most bipolar illnesses are during late adolescence and early adulthood.  People who are experiencing bipolar during this time of their lives can be severely disrupted since these are the critical periods in the development of vocational and social aspects of a young adult's life. In any given year, about 2.6 percent of people who age 18 years and older suffer from bipolar illness.

The symptoms of bipolar are different in adults than in children, which presents a diagnostic challenge to the professionals in the field of mental health. Bipolar in adults have predictable patterns of symptoms, unlike in bipolar disorder children that very often exhibit explosive outburst and irritable moods. Also, bipolar kids may experience the cycles of manic-depressive far more rapidly compared to adult cases.

Bipolar Disorder Children

More often than not, bipolar disorder children may be overlooked due that the fact that some of the symptoms can mimic other symptoms of mental disorders such as the ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.  Sometimes, bipolar even co-exists with ADHD.

Bipolar in Adults

Unlike bipolar disorder in children, in adults, bipolar is often not recognized as an illness because it can mask the symptoms of postpartum psychosis, postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and substance abuse. Bipolar must be carefully managed throughout the life of the person since it is a long-term disorder.

Because of the possible cases that bipolar can be overlooked since it has similar symptoms like other mental disorders, it is necessary to be knowledgeable enough with the disorder.  Bipolar disorder is a serious mental disorder since it is one of the reasons for people to commit suicide.  If diagnosed early and with proper management, bipolar has a good prognosis and can easily be treated. Bipolar in children or adolescent bipolar are serious matters that need to be addressed at an early stage.