Bipolar Disorder in Childhood

Bipolar disorder among children has become more prevalent in recent years. Although some may argue that this "phenomenon" points to misdiagnoses, this is often not the case. Bipolar disorder can be difficult to diagnose, particularly in children. This is because some of the signs and symptoms associated with the disorder may consist of normal behaviors of children. Many times bipolar disorder will also mask itself as something else and vice versa.

Signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder may include change of appetite and moods, partaking in risky behaviors, and sleep disturbances. Children are known for many of these characteristics throughout various stages of early childhood. The key lies in interpreting which behaviors deviate from the norm.

Sleep disturbances can be expected and may materialize for several different reasons. Typically, they do not last for lengthy periods of time. Anxiety about sleeping on their own, monsters, fear of the dark, and similar things are common among young children and may alter their sleep. The child may attempt to stay awake, resulting in sleeping late and being wore out all day. Eventually, the child will return to normal sleeping habits though.

This can not be said of a bipolar child. Sleeping patterns may change drastically and are more extreme. Sleeping several hours throughout the day when the child should not otherwise be tired ,or is not ill, is a good example of this. Sleep patterns may return to normal but only briefly. They may also have periods in which they do not sleep at all, yet are full of energy and just keep going. This is not in reference to the child who skips his or her nap, rather the small child who can go twenty four or more hours without sleep.

Some children are naturally finicky eaters, but when the parent can see significant change in the child's eating habits without any known cause, there is need for concern. Many times in a bipolar child the parent can see a pattern emerge. The pattern may seem inconsistent, and it may very well be in terms of how many days the behaviors are present or when they are present. What will remain consistent is the variance of their behaviors.

It is highly unusual that an adult will cycle throughout manic and depressive states within a matter of days or hours. However, a bipolar child may cycle very rapidly. For some, this can occur daily. When the child cries without cause or seems otherwise detached and withdrawn it is a good indicator that they may very well be in a depressive state. Feelings of sadness are perfectly normal, but when an individual, especially a child is experiencing such feelings for no obvious reason there is almost something going on beneath the surface.

The manic phase of bipolar disorder is quite the opposite. It is during this phase that the child will have extreme bursts of energy and/or become unusually happy. Please do not conclude from this that your child is too happy. The happiness in which is spoken of here is almost euphoric, as if the person were under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The child may feel invincible and may acquire a strong thresh hold for pain. A manic phase is equally as dangerous as a depressive phase, in part for this reason.

This may contribute to confusing bipolar disorder with ADHD. Unlike bipolar disorder, the symptoms of ADHD are always there. The hyperactivity does not just go away. Also worth noting, the individual can suffer from both bipolar disorder and ADHD. As a matter of fact, the bipolar child is more likely to have ADHD. Keeping an accurate and detailed log of your child's behaviors will assist in getting the appropriate diagnosis. As the mother of a bipolar child, I can tell you from first hand experience that you may be the biggest advocate for your child. Do not hesitate to get a second opinion if you disagree with the healthcare providers diagnosis.

By learning to identify behaviors that may indicate problems with our children, we may be able to help them before it turns into a larger issue. Early intervention proves to benefit individuals that suffer from bipolar disorder, as well as many other afflictions. Keep in mind that symptoms may not be the same for all children. Any behavior, desirable or undesirable, that persists to an extent in which it affects the child's activities may be a sign that something is not right.