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