Bipolar disorder in children has been seen as early as age 6. Of course, with children, you have to observe them long enough to know what their normal child behavior patterns are opposed to their bipolar behavior. Also, you have to take into account other problems that children develop that can overlap with bipolar disorder in children. But the same basic criteria that an adults diagnosis is based are used to diagnose children. It has to be modified a bit though because of the age.
Symptoms for Children with Bipolar Disorder
Children with bipolar disorder are often misdiagnosed as having attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). This is because ADHD and bipolar disorder share similar symptoms like hyperactive, irritable and being easily distracted. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that the child has bipolar mania due to these symptoms. Signs that are specific to bipolar disorder and not ADHD are sleeping too much, unusual sexual activities, jubilant and euphoric moods, flights of ideas and grandiose behaviors.
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.
The other symptoms for bipolar children are the tendency to have many cycles of these behaviors during a day's time. Going from the elated high moods all the way down to heavy depressed moods that can even cause suicide attempts.
Treatments for Children with Bipolar Disorder
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.
Symptoms for Children with Bipolar Disorder
Children with bipolar disorder are often misdiagnosed as having attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). This is because ADHD and bipolar disorder share similar symptoms like hyperactive, irritable and being easily distracted. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that the child has bipolar mania due to these symptoms. Signs that are specific to bipolar disorder and not ADHD are sleeping too much, unusual sexual activities, jubilant and euphoric moods, flights of ideas and grandiose behaviors.
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.
The other symptoms for bipolar children are the tendency to have many cycles of these behaviors during a day's time. Going from the elated high moods all the way down to heavy depressed moods that can even cause suicide attempts.
Treatments for Children with Bipolar Disorder
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.
About the Author:
Ken P Doyle has had a keen interest on the topic bipolar disorder for several years today. For more resourceful information regarding bipolar disorder children, visit his online resource site today.
No comments:
Post a Comment