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.

The Four Phases Along With the Typical Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder:

The four phases or mood swings present are Hypomania, Depression, Mania or Manic, and Mixed episodes. They are divided on each side of normal and balanced moods that most people slightly vary from. Variations may come in degrees and some people become more prone to episodes of mania over depression or vice versa. Then again, some may alternate frequently of infrequently between both sides of the normal.

• Manic Phase–In the mania or manic phase, people have extreme energy and euphoria, and typically talk fast and seem hyperactive in general.

• Hypomania Stage–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.

• Depression Stage–For the depression stage, 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.

• Mixed Emotion Phase–In the Mixed emotion phase, they can experience a mix of high energy with depressed mood which is a combination of anxiety mixed with racing thoughts

Typical Symptoms of Bipolar in Children:

Irritability, frequent mood swings, hyperactivity and impulsivity, restlessness and fidgeting are included as some of the distinctive symptoms of bipolar in children which are similar to the four phases.

In studies, it was shown that up to 80% of bipolar children may come from families where both parents were either alcoholics or parents that also have bipolar disorder or both.

Symptoms of bi polar in children often fit into the guidelines set out for diagnosing ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and therefore is not recognized until later in life.

Conclusion:

It is important to diagnose symptoms of bipolar and bipolar in children as early as possible, as episodes will get worse with time.

Published By Bipolar Disorder Assistance

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Learn about teen bipolar disorders and the signs to look for in teens to see if they have bipolar disorder. Also receive information on how to help a teen with teen bipolar disorder. 

Over 2 million Americans are known to suffer from a disorder called bipolar disorder. Seven percent of the sufferers are teenagers. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive; it is a brain disease, which is distinguished by dramatic mood changes, energy levels, and behaviors. There are mainly two different types of extremes, mania and depression. Mania is when energy peaks and moods may be overly euphoric and irritable. Depression is characterized by suicidal thoughts, helplessness, and fatigue.

Teenage Bipolar Disorder occurs mainly in the late teens, although it has been diagnosed in children as young as 6 years old. The usual problem lays in identifying the symptoms and reaching for help.

Teen bipolar disorder can be mistaken as ADHD because of the similar signs between the two disorders. When a teen is having mood swings from extreme high to low this should not be overlooked at common irrational behavior, the teen should be taken to a doctor for a check up to see if they have teen bipolar disorder.

If you suspect your child to have teen bipolar disorder take the time to watch

his/her behavior in order to recognize some of these common symptoms.

Manic symptoms include:

* Severe changes in mood – extremely irritable or overly good
* Increased energy
* Lack of sleep for long periods of time
* Increased speed of speech, jumping from idea to idea quickly without much connection between them
* Lack of concentration
* Increased goal-directed activity or physical agitation
* Hyper sexuality
* Unrealistic talk such as relating to fantasy happenings in real life

Depressive symptoms in teen bipolar disorder include:

* Persistent sadness
* No interest in once pleasurable activities
* Insomnia or over sleeping
* Loss of energy or fatigue
* Difficulty in concentrating
* Feeling of emptiness/worthlessness
* Physical agitation or slowing
* Suicidal thought and actions

Teen bipolar disorder is a life long disease, which cannot be cured; however it can be successfully treated with medications and therapy. Family and friends play a huge role in treating this disease successfully.

To help a teen with bipolar disorder a person should do the following:

Keep a routine
Talk to teachers
Follow the medication schedule
Monitor side effects
Consider family therapy
Take suicidal threats seriously

Even though teenagers can be difficult to deal with its better to seek professional help as soon as possible rather then disregard it as a tantrum and live to regret it later. Teen bipolar disorder is not to be neglected but dealt with carefully and as soon as possible for best results.

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