Bipolar in children and symptoms of bipolar covers a ranging degree of seriousness. It is occasionally difficult to detect the symptoms of bipolar and bipolar in children due to this as confusion with other issues like hyperactivity, attention deficit or allergies in children. This can also be misconstrued in adults as other things especially if they are on drugs and/or alcohol.
Once commonly known as Manic Depression, studies suggest that its hereditary and environmental is primarily due to a shortage of Serotonin which is a natural occurring chemical that balances and controls moods. Because of the shortage of serotonin, extreme mood swings are the primary symptoms. However, there are other things to look out for as the disorder is known to have four phases.
The Four Phases Along With the Typical Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder:
The four phases or mood swings present are Hypomania, Depression, Mania or Manic, and Mixed episodes. They are divided on each side of normal and balanced moods that most people slightly vary from. Variations may come in degrees and some people become more prone to episodes of mania over depression or vice versa. Then again, some may alternate frequently of infrequently between both sides of the normal.
People have extreme energy and euphoria in the manic or mania stage. They tend to talk fast and seem hyperactive in general.
When compared to the mania phase, the hypomania phase is less severe. However, they live their daily life in a way that others describe as an exaggeratedly happy person. This makes it harder to recognize but the impulsive trends come through sometimes which cause them to go into a full blown manic episode at some point.
In the depression phase, there is a tendency to sleep more, gain weight, have higher irritability and unpredictable mood swings involving guilt and can lose touch with reality.
When a mix of high energy with a depressed mood is experienced, this is known as the Mixed Emotion Phase. It can also be counted as a combination of anxiety mixed with racing thoughts.
Common Symptoms of Bipolar in Children:
Some of the typical symptoms of bipolar in children are similar to the four phases, and can include irritability, frequent mood swings, hyperactivity and impulsivity, restless and fidgeting.
According to studies, approximately 80% of bipolar children may have come from families where both parents were either alcoholics or also had bipolar, or even both.
The symptoms of bipolar in children fit the ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) due to the guidelines set out for diagnosing it. However, it is not recognized until later in life.
Conclusion:
The fact that episodes of bipolar in children will get worse in time means that it is very crucial to diagnose bipolar symptoms to be made as early as possible.
