Many children and their families have suffered through undiagnosed, untreated bipolar disorder because it was not considered a condition that affected children. Retardation and autism were recognized at early ages, but children who exhibited clear symptoms of bipolar disorder were thought to be products of a permissive, undisciplined upbringing. The Mayo Clinic website confirms, however, that bipolar disorder can occur in children of any age.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder is a serious brain illness that causes children to experience extreme changes in mood. The operative word here is extreme, because all children tend to be moody at times. The child with bipolar disorder experiences intense mood swings ranging from euphoric happiness to deep despair. He or she may be physically active one day and unable to get out of bed the next. These unpredictable changes often create problems within the family and among friends or classmates.
At What Ages are Children Affected by Bipolar Disorder?
Although most people develop bipolar disorder in their late teens or early twenties, children as young as six can be affected. The National Alliance on Mental Illness cites a federally funded study as the source of this statistic. The same study showed that approximately seven percent of children seen at psychiatric facilities fit the standard for diagnosis of bipolar disorder. It is no longer considered rare in children.
Does Bipolar Disorder in Children Differ From Adult Bipolarity?
Early-onset bipolar disorder can be more severe than the illness that develops during teen years or early adulthood. Children are subject to more frequent, more rapid mood changes, which amplifies stress in families and school settings. Parents and siblings are seldom equipped to deal with the outbursts and tantrums that may occur on a regular basis and may react with angry words or punishments. A child who is bipolar does not understand how disturbing his or her behavior can be and may begin to feel picked on or rejected, which creates additional problems.
The bipolar child typically has difficulty in school and may be shunned by his or her peers because of his or her erratic behavior. Disruptive behavior and lack of self-control may lead to conflict with teachers and other authority figures. The National Institute of Mental Health and the National Alliance on Mental Illness agree that bipolar disorder in children and adolescents increases the risk of poor performance in school, substance abuse and suicide.
What are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Children?
Mood changes with no apparent cause, or reactions that seem out of proportion to the incident that triggered them are the most common symptoms of bipolar disorder in children. A child who is experiencing a manic episode may be happy and expansive or angry and irritable. He or she may have trouble sleeping and staying focused and may be more active than usual.
A child in a depressive state is sad and may cry. He or she may want to stay in his or her room, shades drawn, and sleep more than usual. Loss of interest in people or activities is common as is talk of death and/or suicide. A depressed child may express feelings of worthlessness and rejection. He or she may not want to eat at all, or may eat too much. Personal hygiene frequently suffers during a depressive episode, and the child may not want to bathe, brush his or her teeth or change clothes.
What is the Treatment for Bipolar Disorder in Children?
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, and there is no cure at this time. Treatment is usually a combination of medication and therapy. Discovering which medication or combination of medications works best for a child may be a trial and error process. What works for one may not work for another. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help children learn to manage their lives and social interactions so that they get along better with others. They can learn to change their undesirable behaviors and to understand what is happening when they experience intense feelings or mood changes. With proper treatment, children with bipolar disorder can lead relatively normal lives.
Final Thoughts
While there is no cure for bipolar disorder, the sooner a diagnosis is made and treatment is begun, the better the outcome for the child. Do not ignore the symptoms or ascribe them to childishness or youthful hijinks, for to do so could put the child at risk.
Sources and Additional Information
National Institute of Mental Health
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Association for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression
Margo Steele - Margo Steele has many interests and writes about all of them - at one time or another.
