It has been found that bipolar disorder in children can start from as early as 6 years old. And is the case with children, they must be observed long enough to distinguish the difference between their bipolar behavior and their normal child behavior patterns. Also needed to be taken into consideration are the problems that children develop that can have similarities with bipolar disorders. But nonetheless, the same criteria used to diagnose adults are also used for the diagnosis of children. Modifications are needed though due to age.
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms for Children
One big issue as far as diagnosing bipolar children having mania is telling them from the children that have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The symptoms of both show up as hyperactivity, irritability, and get distracted easily. So with children, these symptoms are not a good gauge to tell if children have mania. Take the symptoms of grandiose behaviors, not sleeping much, unusual sexual activity, jubilant or euphoric moods, also flight of ideas are specific to mania and not to ADHD.
Children with grandiose behaviors act as if rules do not apply to them. They believe for example that they are so smart they can tell teachers what to do and tell other students what to learn. Other bipolar disorder children can be convinced that they can do superhuman deeds like jumping out of windows and will not be hurt. Bipolar children do not show signs of being tired even though they may have slept a mere 4 to 6 hours every night. They are very active when not asleep and can do things like moving furniture and playing games.
Unusual sexual activity can come out in bipolar children and Adolescent bipolar children with mania. They can be very flirtatious even over what they should be for their age. They may use very explicit sexual type language and try to touch others in private areas including adults.
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.
Having many cycles of these behaviors during a days time are also other symptoms of bipolar children. This can often lead to suicide when they go from elated high moods all the way down to heavy depressed moods.
Treatments for Children with Bipolar Disorder
Children and teenagers also use similar medications to the ones often prescribed for adults. Mood stabilizing agents have been thought to be useful in the treatment of bipolar disorder children. These include valproate, lithium and Tegretol (carbamazepine). The long term use of medication in children though has been an area of concern. Therefore, more studies are being done on this.
Before medicating your child, ensure that the proper diagnosis has been given to him or her as it is difficult to distinguish the difference between ADHD and bipolar disorder as the symptoms can sometimes overlap. You must also ensure that your child is being treated by a doctor who has a background in bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms for Children
One big issue as far as diagnosing bipolar children having mania is telling them from the children that have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The symptoms of both show up as hyperactivity, irritability, and get distracted easily. So with children, these symptoms are not a good gauge to tell if children have mania. Take the symptoms of grandiose behaviors, not sleeping much, unusual sexual activity, jubilant or euphoric moods, also flight of ideas are specific to mania and not to ADHD.
Children with grandiose behaviors act as if rules do not apply to them. They believe for example that they are so smart they can tell teachers what to do and tell other students what to learn. Other bipolar disorder children can be convinced that they can do superhuman deeds like jumping out of windows and will not be hurt. Bipolar children do not show signs of being tired even though they may have slept a mere 4 to 6 hours every night. They are very active when not asleep and can do things like moving furniture and playing games.
Unusual sexual activity can come out in bipolar children and Adolescent bipolar children with mania. They can be very flirtatious even over what they should be for their age. They may use very explicit sexual type language and try to touch others in private areas including adults.
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.
Having many cycles of these behaviors during a days time are also other symptoms of bipolar children. This can often lead to suicide when they go from elated high moods all the way down to heavy depressed moods.
Treatments for Children with Bipolar Disorder
Children and teenagers also use similar medications to the ones often prescribed for adults. Mood stabilizing agents have been thought to be useful in the treatment of bipolar disorder children. These include valproate, lithium and Tegretol (carbamazepine). The long term use of medication in children though has been an area of concern. Therefore, more studies are being done on this.
Before medicating your child, ensure that the proper diagnosis has been given to him or her as it is difficult to distinguish the difference between ADHD and bipolar disorder as the symptoms can sometimes overlap. You must also ensure that your child is being treated by a doctor who has a background in bipolar disorder.
About the Author:
Ken P Doyle has had a keen interest on the topic bipolar disorder for many years now. For more resourceful information on bipolar disorder children, check out his online resource site now.
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