Is My Child Suffering from Bipolar Disorder?
In the words of Richelle E. Goodrich, “There would be no cloud-nine days without rock-bottom moments left below”. However, moments of stability are just as important. If your child’s life seems like just a series of extreme highs and lows, it’s time to look for stability. Let’s try to understand what Bipolar Disorder in children is like.
Bipolar Disorder and its Types
Bipolar Disorder is a condition in which a person has extreme “mood swings”. Sometimes the person suffering from this disorder seems to be excessively happy, violent, productive and active. At other times they can be extremely lazy, sad and quiet. While the first is a manic phase, the other is a depressive phase.
There are various differences in the expression of Bipolar Disorder with the main distinction between Bipolar I and Bipolar II disorder.
The diagnosis of Bipolar I disorder occurs when the patient experiences one or more manic episodes with the possibility of having experienced major depressive episode(s). In Bipolar II disorder, the individual would have had one or more major depressive episodes and at least one hypomanic episode. In other words, a person with Bipolar II disorder may have experienced a full blown hypomanic episode ( instead of a manic one) in which the symptoms are less severe.
Bipolar Disorder in Children
The diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder in children has been on the rise in the past few years -some of them were as young as just 3- year-olds (Kowatch et al., 2005.) Thus, people talk a lot more about the term Pediatric Bipolar Disorder today. Unfortunately, there is a lack of consistency in the diagnostic criteria and assessments for this disorder.
There is a 90 percent chance after a single manic episode that the individual will experience another episode in spite of taking medicines. Most manic episodes are followed very soon by a Major Depressive episode. People who don’t receive treatment for treating bipolar disorder experience an average of about 4 episodes within 10 years. Interestingly, the interval between these episodes usually decreases as the individual grows older.
According to Schapiro (2005), the diagnostic process itself has many loopholes till now because various emotionally disturbed children and adolescents present a variety of symptoms as well as other conditions such as conduct disorders, ADHD, anxiety, Depression etc. We still need a lot more detailed and honest research before drawing any conclusion regarding which moods and behaviors of distressed children meet the diagnostic criteria for Pediatric Bipolar Disorder.
Effects of Pediatric Bipolar Disorder on Children
Pediatric Bipolar Disorder has various effects on children, such as:-
- Issues in emotional regulation
- Impairment in intelligence and cognitive development
- Challenges in academic progress
- Problems in forming social relationships etc.
- Problematic family relations
Having said this, this disorder can be treated with the help of medicines and therapy. We must remember that both approaches are important because simply treating the symptoms is never enough. In fact, therapy is necessary to teach such kids how to manage their symptoms and live their lives happily!
We may thus conclude that even children suffering from Pediatric Bipolar Disorder can live a healthy and happy life. But, this can only happen with the right kind of help- the kind a mental health professional would provide. Feel free to contact one for helping you or someone you know!
Click here to change the life of a child suffering from Bipolar Disorder with the help of a Psychologist.
Originally published at blog.mindsolace.com on June 18, 2017.
