![]() In children mixed states (a mix of mania and depression) and rapid cycling (mood swings) may be much more common. In adults, bipolar disorder commonly involves separate episodes of major depression, alternating with separate episodes of mania. Fortunately, some of this research is currently underway and holds the promise of better answers to these important questions in the future.īipolar disorder in children and adolescents Improving our understanding of all of these issues depends on further research into these disorders as they appear in children and adolescents. A history of severe emotional trauma such as physical or sexual abuse can lead to mood swings, emotional outbursts, hallucinations, and extremely severe behavioral problems, including sexualized behaviors that can resemble bipolar disorder. There are also other factors that can seriously complicate the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children. Experts also differ on what would be the most appropriate and effective treatment for them. However, experts differ on whether or not such children should be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. There is no disagreement that children with these symptoms are impaired. These experts clearly recognize that this definition excludes a number of children with episodes of mood instability, explosive rage episodes, extreme irritability and agitation. These experts argue for a narrower definition of bipolar disorder which includes episodic mood swings, elevated or expansive mood-not just irritable mood-and grandiosity or inappropriate euphoria (extreme joyfulness). Other experts feel this approach will lead to the overdiagnosis of children who in fact suffer from disorders other than bipolar disorder. Some experts feel that children with severe irritability, emotional instability, and severe temper outbursts are, in fact, suffering from bipolar disorder as it appears in childhood and should be treated accordingly. While no one has the definitive answers to these questions, there are competing schools of thought on this issue. In short, where does a child with ADHD, oppositional behaviors, and a fair degree of crankiness/moodiness end, and where does a child with bipolar disorder begin. More controversy exists in children when there appears to be a more chronic course, including more irritability and unstable moods, including severe temper outbursts. In adolescents, where the presentation of the disorder more closely resembles that seen in adults, there is much less controversy. However, more than one type of bipolar disorder exists.Īs mentioned earlier, mental health practitioners disagree about the symptoms of bipolar disorder in youth and how they differ from those in adults. The combination of episodes of mania and major depressive episodes is what constitutes classic bipolar disorder. highly risky pursuit of pleasurable activities (for example, activities involving drugs, alcohol or sex).excessive involvement in multiple projects and activities.racing thoughts or flight of ideas (completely disconnected thoughts).much more talkative or pressured speech (speech so rapid that the words bump into and overrun each other). ![]() inflated self esteem or grandiosity (an unrealistic sense of one’s capabilities).thoughts of death or suicide or self-destructive behavior.change in observed activity level (usually slowed down or dragging).sleeping too much or inability to sleep.marked decrease in interest in or pleasure from life, sometimes expressed by boredom.The following lists consist of behaviors observed by parents of children diagnosed with bipolar disorder.īehaviors connected to major depressive episodes: The diagnostic manual used by mental health professionals is based on the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in adults. (To clarify, major depression is another, separate mood disorder involving these same symptoms of depression but without the occurrence of symptoms of mania). The disagreement is about the symptoms of bipolar disorder in youth and how they differ from those in adults.īipolar disorder involves episodes of both major depression and mania. There is little disagreement about whether it exists. Bipolar disorder has also become a controversial area within the field of children’s mental health. Until recently, however, youth were rarely diagnosed with this disorder. This disorder is commonly referred to as manic-depression but is now formally referred to as bipolar disorder, referring to the two “poles” of depression and mania. The existence of a mood disorder in adults involving severe mood swings from states of deep depression to states of elation has been recognized now for over a century.
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