Adults come first to mind when manic depressive illness also known as bipolar disorder is mentioned. While symptoms of bipolar don’t begin to show most of the time until early adulthood, it is possible to find bipolar in children. Even more frustrating and frightening than bipolar in adults, it is important for family and friends to know all they can and be a strong support system for children with symptoms of bipolar disorder.
What is Different with Children Bipolar?
Children cannot understand the symptoms they’re experiencing and to voice their feelings, making it very difficult to diagnose children with bipolar.
It can be difficult to monitor how your child is doing, because symptoms are changing, if treatments are working, besides children going through many emotional and physical changes, including mood swings.
Very important to have a strong support system in family and friends who can closely monitor the child and help keep communication between the child and the care giver open. Bipolar in children is more complicated than bipolar in adults.
What are Symptoms of Bipolar?
Marked by severe mood swings, bipolar disorder patients experience depressive and manic episodes. Experiencing hypomanic or mixed state episodes patients can also experience other illness not related to bipolar but because of their age react to them differently.
Symptoms of depressive episodes include increased need for sleep, fatigue and lethargy, feelings of hopelessness, lack of interest in activities and relationships, and suicidal thoughts. Children who are experiencing a depressive episode may also experience fascination with gory or morbid topics, low self-esteem, and oversensitivity or exaggerated emotional responses.
In some cases aggressive behaviors, symptoms of manic episodes include decreased need for sleep, rapid speech, racing thoughts, impulsive behavior and distractibility. Children suffering from manic episode also have temper tantrums, motor or vocal tics, extreme irritability and “silly” behaviors.
Less severe to mania, Hypomania is when the person is in a good mood, compared to depressive episode of bipolar. When symptoms of depression and mania are present at the same time it is called a mixed state episode.
Can I Get More Information on Bipolar?
Understanding bipolar in children and the symptoms of bipolar disorder are key in helping your child manage his or her illness, as well as ensuring that treatment is effective. If you know what to look for in your child, you can be a much stronger support, and your child will be on the way to living a healthy, happy life.
