Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depression, is a very serious (but treatable) medical illness. This kind of disorder is marked by extreme modifications in mood, energy, thinking and behavior. The worst part about bipolar disorder is that symptoms may be there from infancy or early childhood, or it may crop in adolescence or adulthood. A diagnosis of bipolar disorder was rarely made during childhood in the past, but now health care providers can identify and treat pediatric bipolar disorder.
Early Intervention/Proper Treatment
Early intervention and proper treatment give the best possible prognosis for emerging pediatric bipolar disorder. They can achieve stability and gain the best possible level of wellness. Proper treatment can play a significant role in reducing the adverse effects of the illness on their lives and on the lives of those who love them. According to studies, families of affected children and adolescents feel uncomfortable by early-onset bipolar disorder and are quite keen for information and support.
How Common
Epidemiological studies are lacking on the statistics of pediatric bipolar disorder. It is estimated that around 1 to 2% of adults worldwide are affected by bipolar disorder. The more study is done about bipolar disorder, the more prevalent it appears to be among children. According to research, a large number of children diagnosed in the America with attention-deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD) have early-onset bipolar disorder instead of, or along with, ADHD. Depression in children and teens is often chronic and relapsing. Many of the 3.4 million children and adolescents with depression in the United States may actually be experiencing early onset bipolar disorder, but have not yet hit the manic stage of the disorder.
Symptoms of Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder in children involves marked changes in mood and energy with depression and mania as the primary constituents of the illness. Mania is the persistent states of extreme elation or agitation accompanied by high energy. Depression is the persistent states of extreme sadness or irritability accompanied by low energy.
Continuous Mood Disturbance
The illness may look different in children than adults because children normally have a continuous mood disturbance that is a blend of mania and depression. This fast, complex cycling between moods gives rise to chronic irritability with few clear periods of wellness in between episodes.
Diagnosis of Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
Diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children is made using the DSM-IV criteria, for which there is no lower age limit. It is very difficult to apply the DSM-IV criteria to very young children though. The behaviors reported by families in children diagnosed with bipolar disorder may consist of:
An expansive or irritable mood
Extreme sadness or lack of interest in study.
Fast changing moods, lasting for a time period of 2 hours to a few days.
Attacking and destructive rages.
Separation anxiety.
Defiance of authority.
Hyperactivity, agitation and distractibility .
Sleeping little or sleeping too much.
Bed wetting and bad dreams.
Strong and frequent cravings for carbohydrates and sweets.
Impaired judgment, impulsivity, racing thoughts and non-stop talking.
Daredevil attitudes (such as jumping out of the window).
Inappropriate sexual behavior.
Delusions and hallucinations.
Grandiose belief in own abilities.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder can emerge as early as infancy. According to one study, mothers often report that children later diagnosed with the bipolar disorder were extremely difficult to settle, slept erratically, seemed extraordinarily clingy and had many unnecessary tantrums from a very young age.
