Diagnosing Bipolar Symptoms in Children Can Be Difficult
Symptoms of bipolar disorder in children have had varying degrees of seriousness. In most cases, it can be quite difficult to detect the symptoms of the disorder in children or adolescents as they can often be confused with other issues such as hyperactivity, attention deficit or even allergies. It can also be misconstrued as other things in adults especially if they use alcohol or drugs.
Bipolar disorder used to be commonly called Manic Depression, and while it can be hereditary and environmental, studies suggest that it is primarily due to a shortage of Serotonin, which is a natural occurring chemical that balances and controls mood. Because of this shortage, extreme mood swings are the primary symptom, but there are other things to look for, as the disorder typically has four separate phases.
Typical Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder and the Four Phases:
Mania or Manic, Hypomania, Depression and Mixed episode are the four phases or moods that are split on each side of normal and balanced moods that most people vary little from. They can vary in degrees, and some people are more prone to episodes of mania over depression or vice versa, but some can alternate frequently or infrequently between the two sides of normal.
People usually talk fast and seem generally hyperactive when in the mania or manic phase because it causes them to have extreme energy and euphoria.
The hypomania stage is less severe than the manic phase. Here, people tend to live their everyday lives in a way that outsiders describe as an overly happy person. Because of this, it is harder to recognize but sometimes the impulsive tendency comes through. At some point, they go into a full blown manic episode.
For the depression state, there is a swing towards sleeping more, gaining weight, being highly irritable and having unpredictable mood swings involving guilt. They can also lose touch with reality.
A mixture of high energy with a depressed mood is what is experienced in the mixed emotion phase. It is usually a combination of anxiety mixed with racing thoughts.
The Usual Symptoms of Bipolar in Children:
Some of the typical symptoms of bipolar in children are similar to the four phases, and can include irritability, frequent mood swings, hyperactivity and impulsivity, restless and fidgeting.
Studies show that a staggering 80% of bipolar children may come from families where both parents were either alcoholics or may have had bipolar disorder themselves.
Because of guidelines set out for diagnosing ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), symptoms of bipolar in children often fit that disorder, and it is not recognized until later in life.
Conclusion:
The fact that episodes of bipolar in children will get worse in time means that it is very crucial to diagnose bipolar symptoms to be made as early as possible.
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Comment by Rita C — May 22, 2009 @ 7:04 am