| Until recently, Bipolar disorder, a serious, | | | | simultaneously. |
| nevertheless treatable mental illness was rarely | | | | It is also common to find other mental disorders |
| diagnosis in young children. The symptoms of this | | | | to be diagnosed in bipolar children. These other |
| mental illness included extreme changes in mood, | | | | diagnoses may be in addition to the bipolar |
| energy, thinking, and behavior. Today, doctors can | | | | disorder, or they may be an incorrect diagnosis of |
| recognize this illness and treat them accordingly in | | | | symptoms of bipolar disorder. Some of the |
| young children. | | | | commonly found mental disorders are Depression, |
| Also known as manic depression, bipolar disorder | | | | ADHD (Attention Defecit Hyperactivity Disorder), |
| symptoms can appear as early as infancy stage. | | | | ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder), schizophrenia, |
| The signs and symptoms include an erratic sleep | | | | and Tourette syndrome. |
| patterns and much difficulty settling a baby who is | | | | Today, it is suspected that numerous children |
| diagnosed later in life as having bipolar disorder. | | | | diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder with |
| Separation anxiety or extreme tantrums and | | | | hyperactivity (ADHD) actually have bipolar |
| rages may have had happened in the toddler's life. | | | | disorder instead of ADHD. Misdiagnosis on the |
| While children with bipolar disorder do not | | | | doctors' part can lead to giving the wrong |
| experience the same syndromes that most adults | | | | medication. This can be a serious mistake as it |
| do, children with bipolar disorder still display signs | | | | could easily trigger mania or suicidal thoughts |
| and traits like changes in mood and behavior that | | | | within the children. |
| is known to be symptoms of the disorder. | | | | For some teenagers, it is found that a dearly loss |
| Children suffering from moods swings are known | | | | or other traumatic event could trigger a first |
| as episodes and there are generally two types of | | | | episode of depression or mania. In later stages, |
| episodes. Episodes of extreme elation or agitation | | | | episodes can happen without any obvious |
| followed by high energy are known as mania. | | | | stresses, or could even worsen if stress comes |
| Persistent states of extreme sadness or irritability | | | | along into their life. Puberty is also a time of risk. |
| followed by low energy are known as depression. | | | | In girls, the beginning of menstruation may trigger |
| Unlike most adults, manic depression may seem | | | | the illness, and symptoms often vary in severity |
| to be different in children. Children more often | | | | with the monthly cycle. |
| suffer from an ongoing mood disturbance that is | | | | Early intervention and treatment is the best bet |
| a mix of mania and depression. This rapid and | | | | to help young children recover from bipolar |
| severe cycling between moods produces chronic | | | | disorder. It is also the best chance for them to |
| irritability and few clear periods of wellness | | | | achieve stability and grow up to enjoy their life |
| between episodes. Rapid cycling is common | | | | thereafter. Effective treatment should be soughed |
| among children with bipolar disorder and they may | | | | out as fast as possible to control the symptoms |
| well experience several episodes of mania and | | | | and to diminish the negative effects of the illness |
| depression within a single day. They may also | | | | on their young lives and those who love them so |
| experience mixed cycling where the symptoms | | | | dearly. |
| of both mania and depression occur | | | | |