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Bipolar Disorder can now be diagnosed in children, due to the advances in medicine today. It was thought before that the disorder only started from as early as adolescence to adults. Identifications tests are now being used to detect this disorder in childhood, which means that treatment can begin at an earlier age.
A child that is diagnosed early has a much better chance of getting treatment for their symptoms. They are able to get help to cope with the problems of the illness, so that stability can be achieved and realise when they are as well as they can be. As they get older they will be more self aware of their disorder and be more well adjusted as adults. The right treatment will enable them to lead a normal life as their illness is controlled.
Those children already diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in the United States have been found to be significantly more likely to develop the disorder. There are children and adolescents who already suffer from relapsing bouts of depression, which could indicate early signs of bipolar disorder, although they have not experienced a manic episode yet.
If more studies are conducted in medicine, the more we would be able to identify how common this disorder is surfacing amongst the younger generation.
The characteristics of the mental illness of Bipolar disorder is by depressive episodes and mania (or extreme euphoria). There are variations to this order in children compared with that of adults. Children will generally alter in mood constantly with rapid cycles of depression and mania. These rapid mood cycles give rise to ongoing irritability, with periods inbetween where they will feel well.
Bipolar Disorder is diagnosed in adults by using DSM-IV criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV). It is difficult to use this to diagnose children as detailed criteria has been established yet.
Children who are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder are commonly found to have the following behaviour patterns:
1. overanxious at being apart from family even during a short time
2. apathy, depression, passiveness
3. problems with authority
4. wetting the bed
5. craving for carbohydrates and sweet things
6. experiencing delusions and hallucinations
7. insomnia
8. irritability
9. a fast change of mood over a few hours or days
10. a temper that is destructive extensively
11. grandiose ideas
12. night fears, ranting
13. inappropriate sexual behaviour
14. very talkative with fanciful ideas
Whilst a child is an infant, signs of the disorder are recogniseable. Once a child is later diagnosed, parents have cited behaviour which has been erratic such as unusual clinginess and far reaching tantrums like seizures.
Children or Paediatric Bipolar Syndrome is classified into four sections just like the adults: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia, and Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.
A patient with Bipolar I has episodes of serious depression and pychotic manic episodes which switch from one to the other.
A patient with Bipolar II switches from periods of hypomania to episodes of depression. A person can be highly creative with hypomania. With hypomania a person can feel more elated or quite irritable, and also they find that they have more mental energy as well as physical.
Cyclothymia is a milder mood disorder where there are recurrent mood disturbances.
The last is Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is where a doctor is unable to classify a disorder under any of the three as mentioned before classifications. A person experiences mood swings like a manic depressive but there are also other symptoms which cannot be categorised as either Bipolar I, Bipolar II or Cyclothymia.
If a child is going through a worrying time, and their welfare becomes a concern, the parents will want to seek professional help. This is necessary particularly if a child starts to talk about suicide. A doctor will refer your child to a psychiatrist, and this can be done as an emergency case if necessary, so the disorder can be dealt with and treated immediately.
It is a good idea for any adult who has children and suspect they may have some kind of disorder, to note their behaviour in a diary, for example, to keep a record of how the child behaves, their speech, any strange activity and their sleep patterns. This is important and will help any doctor to evaluate your child and prescribe the correct treatment. Your observations could help with a quick diagnosis.
Your child can be helped with the right course of medication, psychotherapy to include the child and family, awareness of the disorder, a good diet for nutrition, noting the symptoms and behaviour, daily exercise which aids in getting good sleep and coping mechanisms for stress.
By the parents and medical professionals working together, the best care can be given in treating your child. With the family getting involved throughout the treatment plan, this will help the children immensely. They are reassured that you as parents are by their side with all the love and support you can give, which will lessen recurring episodes, the incidences and the intensity of any symptoms by recognising them before they get any worse by knowing what plan of action to take. Community help is also available to help the individual and family with extra support.
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