| Ever noticed sudden and extreme mood swings | | | | psychologist or a psychiatrist. Keep a |
| in your child? Does he often show high levels | | | | journal of his mood swings and his hyper |
| of excitement and activity only to be | | | | active behavior before scheduling an |
| unusually irritable and irrationably angry or | | | | appointment with the doctor. That way, the |
| enraged the next minute? Are your child's | | | | doctor will be given a good background on the |
| tantrums exceptionally long and easily | | | | child's behavior and will thus be able to |
| provoked? | | | | properly diagnose the existence and the |
| | | | extent of the disorder. |
| If you answer yes to all three questions, | | | | |
| your child may have a condition known as a | | | | If positively identified to have bipolar |
| bipolar disorder or manic-depression. It is a | | | | disorder, start considering alternative |
| brain disorder that causes frequent and | | | | school accomodations for your child. Special |
| extreme behavior changes in a person. Until, | | | | education facilities may be necessary in |
| recently children have not been known to | | | | order for your child to adapt and eventually |
| acquire or develop bipolar disorders but | | | | learn to manage his condition. Get your child |
| several doctors agree that children diagnosed | | | | involved in creative play, arts and music as |
| with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder | | | | a form of therapy. Have the teacher carefully |
| or ADHD may actually be experiencing the | | | | monitor his behavior and the development of |
| early symptoms of a full-blown bipolar | | | | his socialization skills in relation with |
| disorder. | | | | other children. |
| | | | |
| While considered a very serious condition, | | | | Moreover, children under medication may |
| this genetically acquired brain disorder is | | | | suffer from side effects such as frequent |
| treatable. With early detection and proper | | | | thirst and urination as well as a heated |
| diagnosis, monitoring and medication, | | | | feeling. They may also feel fatigue and |
| children with bipolar disorders can lead | | | | sleepiness during lows while becoming |
| normal and productive lives. | | | | agitated the next. Constantly consult with |
| | | | your child's teacher on his development in |
| Early detection and proper diagnosis of | | | | school. |
| bipolar disorder in children can only be | | | | |
| successful with involved and observant | | | | At home, make sure that siblings and members |
| parents. Try to observe sleep patterns as | | | | of your family are made aware of your child's |
| children with bipolar disorders to tend to | | | | condition. This will help the rest of the |
| feel no need for sleep during mania or highs | | | | family adjust to the mood swings and |
| and thus sleep very little or on the other | | | | understand your child's unusual behavior. |
| hand sleep too much during depression. | | | | This will help ensure that despite their |
| Children who also tend to believe themselves | | | | condition, children with bipolar disorder are |
| to have super powers and thus figure in dare | | | | given the love and care they need. |
| devil stunts during periods of extreme high | | | | |
| while engage in prolonged tantrums during | | | | With proper guidance, medication and care, |
| extreme lows may also have bipolar disorder. | | | | children with bipolar disorder will eventully |
| During depression, children will have no | | | | learn to cope with their condition, manage |
| interest in play or socialization. | | | | their mood swings, live normal and happy |
| | | | childhoods and consequently develop into |
| If you suspect your child to have bipolar | | | | productive adults. |
| disorder, consult with a pediatric | | | | |