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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