| Bipolar disorder is a being diagnosed in | | | | dangerous business and often masks the |
| children as young as six years old in | | | | symptoms of the disorder. Bipolar |
| recent years. Some doctors think this | | | | disorder in children should always be |
| is a good assessment of many children | | | | considered when drugs are being used by |
| while others think the diagnosis is | | | | them, if only to rule it out. |
| overdone. While it may be just an | | | | Bipolar disorder in children who are |
| intellectual controversy to some, others | | | | older, such as teenagers, is still |
| who know a child who may have bipolar | | | | different from the adult disorder in |
| disorder will not be amused. It is | | | | that the person with the disorder is |
| important therefore to take into account | | | | still a minor. This leads to situations |
| all the facets of the disorder. | | | | where the older child has an adversarial |
| It is a tricky diagnosis to say the | | | | relationship with authorities and is |
| least. Bipolar disorder in children | | | | therefore hard to convince that |
| often appears similar to ADHD, or as | | | | treatment is a good thing. |
| simply rambunctious childhood behavior. | | | | There are some ways to cut down on the |
| Young children may cycle fast, meaning | | | | confusion. Speaking with the child's |
| that they go from a depressed state to a | | | | teachers gives an outside opinion of how |
| manic state and back, etc. very quickly, | | | | the child is doing day-to-day. Also, |
| often within weeks or even days. | | | | this shows how the child fares in a |
| Suicide attempts often happen on the | | | | different setting from the home |
| spur of the moment, with little or no | | | | environment. Bipolar disorder in |
| warning. This is different than in most | | | | children, if it is masquerading as some |
| adults where the depression is often | | | | other form of disorder or behavior, is |
| long-lasting and suicide attempts may be | | | | more likely to be found out if more |
| well thought-out. For this reason it is | | | | people are alert to its symptoms. |
| imperative that children with the | | | | Getting a second opinion is also very |
| disorder be treated successfully. | | | | important, since so many doctors |
| Bipolar disorder in children often | | | | disagree on bipolar disorder in |
| presents in mania. In the younger | | | | children. Once the second opinion is |
| children this is often likely to come | | | | obtained, the family can make a more |
| with hallucinations, both auditory and | | | | informed decision as to what the problem |
| visual. It may seem that these would be | | | | is and how to proceed. Doctors may not |
| difficult to distinguish from a healthy | | | | all agree on bipolar disorder in |
| imagination. Sometimes, in fact, it is. | | | | children, but a second opinion should |
| Many times, though, the visions and | | | | help to clarify the situation. The |
| voices are more disturbing and | | | | parent or guardian can listen carefully |
| threatening than a healthy child would | | | | and determine if the doctor's |
| imagine. | | | | explanation sounds accurate. Then, |
| Teens with bipolar disorder are, for the | | | | ultimately, it is the parents' job to |
| most part, similar in their symptoms to | | | | make the call. Misdiagnosis and wrong |
| adults. A major complicating factor | | | | treatment would be unthinkable, but if |
| with teens is the use of drugs and | | | | bipolar disorder in children is the |
| alcohol. As with adults, this practice | | | | correct diagnosis, it is surely better |
| of trying to use street drugs and | | | | to accept it. |
| alcohol to control mood swings, is | | | | To learn more, check out Bipolar |
| called "self-medicating." It is a | | | | Disabilities Guide. |