| Many children and especially adolescents | | | | - Frequent sadness or crying. |
| experience mood swings as a normal part of | | | | - Withdrawal from friends and activities. |
| growing up, but when these feelings persist and | | | | - Decreased energy level, lack of enthusiasm or |
| begin to interfere with a child's ability to function in | | | | motivation. |
| daily life, bipolar disorder could be the cause. | | | | - Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt. |
| Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depression, | | | | - Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure. |
| is a type of mood disorder marked by extreme | | | | - Major changes in habits such as over-sleeping or |
| changes in mood, energy levels and behavior. | | | | over-eating. |
| Symptoms can begin in early childhood but more | | | | - Frequent physical complaints such as headaches |
| typically emerge in adolescence or adulthood. Until | | | | and stomachaches. |
| recently, young people were rarely diagnosed with | | | | - Recurring thoughts of death, suicide, or |
| this disorder. Yet up to one-third of the 3.4 million | | | | self-destructive behavior. |
| children and adolescents with depression in the | | | | Many teens with bipolar disorder abuse alcohol and |
| United States may actually be experiencing the | | | | drugs as a way to feel better and escape. Any |
| early onset of bipolar disorder according to the | | | | child or adolescent who abuses substances should |
| American Academy of Child and Adolescent | | | | be evaluated for a mental health disorder. If an |
| Psychiatry. Doctors now recognize and treat the | | | | addiction develops, it is essential to treat both the |
| disorder in both children and adolescents, but it is | | | | mental health disorder and the substance abuse |
| still an under-recognized illness. | | | | problem at the same time. |
| Children with bipolar disorder usually alternate | | | | What Should Parents and Caregivers Do? |
| rapidly between extremely high moods (mania) | | | | Early identification, diagnosis, and treatment help |
| and low moods (depression). These rapid mood | | | | children reach their full potential. Bipolar disorder is |
| shifts can produce irritability with periods of | | | | treatable. Children who exhibit signs of bipolar |
| wellness between episodes, or the young person | | | | disorder should be referred to and evaluated by a |
| may feel both extremes at the same time. | | | | mental health professional who specializes in |
| Parents who have children with the disorder often | | | | treating children. The evaluation may include |
| describe them as unpredictable, alternating | | | | consultation with a child psychiatrist, psychological |
| between aggressive or silly and withdrawn. | | | | testing, and medical tests to rule out an underlying |
| Children with bipolar disorder are at a greater risk | | | | physical condition that might explain the child's |
| for anxiety disorders and Attention-Deficit | | | | symptoms. A comprehensive treatment plan |
| Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These | | | | should include psychotherapy and, in most cases, |
| "co-occurring" disorders complicate diagnosis of | | | | medication. This plan should be developed with the |
| bipolar disorder and contribute to the lack of | | | | family, and, whenever possible, the child should be |
| recognition of the illness in children | | | | involved in making treatment decisions. |
| What Are the Signs and Symptoms? | | | | Children's mental health matters! To learn more, |
| Bipolar disorder begins with either manic or | | | | talk to a doctor or mental health professional, |
| depressive symptoms. The lists below provide | | | | contact your local Mental Health Association or |
| possible signs and symptoms. Not all children with | | | | access the resources below: |
| bipolar disorder have all symptoms. Like children | | | | National Mental Health Association, 800-969-NMHA, |
| with depression, children with bipolar disorder are | | | | |
| likely to have a family history of the illness. If a | | | | American Academy of Child and Adolescent |
| child you know is struggling with any combination | | | | Psychiatry, |
| of these symptoms for more than two weeks, | | | | American Psychiatric Association, 888-357-7924, |
| talk with a doctor or mental health professional. | | | | American Psychological Association, 800-964-2000, |
| Manic Symptoms | | | | |
| - Severe changes in mood-from unusually happy | | | | Children and Adults with Attention Deficit |
| or silly to irritable, angry or aggressive. | | | | Hyperactivity Disorder, 800-233-4050, |
| - Unrealistic highs in self-esteem. May feel | | | | Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, |
| indestructible or believe he or she can fly, for | | | | 847-256-8525, |
| example. | | | | Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health, |
| - Great increase in energy level. Sleeps little | | | | 703-684-7710, |
| without being tired. | | | | Knowledge Exchange Network, 800-789-2647, |
| - Excessive involvement in multiple projects and | | | | National Association of School Psychologists, |
| activities. May move from one thing to the next | | | | 301-657-0270, |
| and become easily distracted. | | | | Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, |
| - Increase in talking. Talks too much, too fast, | | | | 800-826-3632, |
| changes topics too quickly, and cannot be | | | | Listen to Arthur Buchanan on the Mike Litman |
| interrupted. This may be accompanied by racing | | | | Show! THIS LINK WORKS, LISTEN TODAY! |
| thoughts or feeling pressure to keep talking. | | | | With Much Love, |
| - Risk-taking behavior such as abusing drugs and | | | | Arthur Buchanan |
| alcohol, attempting daredevil stunts, or being | | | | President/CEO |
| sexually active or having unprotected sex. | | | | Out of Darkness & Into the Light |
| Depressive Symptoms | | | | 43 Oakwood Ave. |