Children as young as 6 years old have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In order for a proper diagnosis to be done, they need to be observed long enough to tell the difference between normal childlike behaviors and bipolar disorder behaviors. One thing that must be taken into consideration is the problems that children go through can also overlap with bipolar disorder. When diagnosing children, the same criteria that are used to diagnose adults can also be used except for some minor modifications because of the age levels.
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.
The children with grandiose behaviors often think that rules and regulations do not apply to them. This goes as far as telling authority figures and others what they should do because they think they are so smart. Some have even had delusions of grandeur in thinking they are almost superhuman. Children with bipolar disorder usually only sleep about 4 to 6 hours nightly and do not shows signs of being tired the following day. They could do such activities as playing games all night or moving furniture.
Adolescent and bipolar children have an unusual sexual activity. Even at that young age they are flirting and are using sexually explicit language and even go to the extent as trying to touch private parts of young and old alike.
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.
During the day children with bipolar symptoms can go through many cycles. From an elated phase or the mania mood to heavy depressed mood. When going through the depressed phase, bipolar children can try to hurt themselves or even attempt suicide.
Bipolar Children Disorder Treatments
Adults and children use similar medication for the treatment of bipolar disorder. The use of mood stabilizers such as lithium, valproate and tegretol (carbamazepine) has long been thought to be useful for children. More studies have been done on these medications because of the long term side effects of these medications on children
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. - 15255
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.
The children with grandiose behaviors often think that rules and regulations do not apply to them. This goes as far as telling authority figures and others what they should do because they think they are so smart. Some have even had delusions of grandeur in thinking they are almost superhuman. Children with bipolar disorder usually only sleep about 4 to 6 hours nightly and do not shows signs of being tired the following day. They could do such activities as playing games all night or moving furniture.
Adolescent and bipolar children have an unusual sexual activity. Even at that young age they are flirting and are using sexually explicit language and even go to the extent as trying to touch private parts of young and old alike.
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.
During the day children with bipolar symptoms can go through many cycles. From an elated phase or the mania mood to heavy depressed mood. When going through the depressed phase, bipolar children can try to hurt themselves or even attempt suicide.
Bipolar Children Disorder Treatments
Adults and children use similar medication for the treatment of bipolar disorder. The use of mood stabilizers such as lithium, valproate and tegretol (carbamazepine) has long been thought to be useful for children. More studies have been done on these medications because of the long term side effects of these medications on children
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. - 15255
About the Author:
Ken P Doyle has been well acquainted on the subject bipolar disorder for several years today. For more useful information regarding bipolar disorder children, visit his online resource site today.
