Bipolar disorder in children and teens is a mental health condition that causes extreme ups and downs. When children are up, they have brief, intense outbursts or feel irritable or extremely happy several times almost every day. They may talk very fast and have increased energy and activity levels. When they are down, they feel depressed and sad.
Bipolar disorder can include both manic and depressive episodes. Often the first signs of bipolar disorder are being severely moody, unhappy, or depressed.
Children and teens having a manic episode may:
Children and teens having a depressive episode may:
Watch for warning signs of suicide. This can include preoccupation with death or suicide or a recent breakup of a relationship. If you notice any signs that your child may hurt themself, get help right away.
Bipolar disorder causes cycles of mania and depression.
A manic episode lasts at least a week. It's a period of being extremely happy, irritable, or motivated. The child or teen may:
A depressive episode is a period of a sad, low, or cranky mood. The child or teen may:
The mood changes that come with bipolar disorder can be a challenge. But with the right treatment, they can be managed. Treatment usually includes medicines (such as mood stabilizers) and counseling. Often a combination of both is needed.
Treatment options include:
Counseling works best when symptoms of bipolar disorder are controlled with medicines.
Doctors make the diagnosis by asking about health problems your child and family members have had. The doctor will ask about your child's feelings and behavior. Your child will also get a physical exam. And the doctor may ask questions to rule out conditions with similar symptoms, like disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD).
Medicines most often used to treat bipolar disorder in children and teens include mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants.
Before prescribing medicine to treat bipolar disorder, your child's doctor will ask questions about possible suicidal behavior.
When you and the doctor are deciding which types of medicines to use, think about:
It is best to build a long-term relationship with your child's care providers so that when a depressive or manic episode occurs, the care providers can recognize the changes in the child's behavior and provide quick treatment advice.
You may wish to find a doctor who has special training in children's mental health conditions or experience treating bipolar disorder in young people. Bipolar disorder can be diagnosed and treated by a health professional such as a:
Your child may also benefit from professional counseling to help deal with mood changes and the effects bipolar disorder has on your child's life. A counselor with special training in child mood disorders or experience treating child bipolar disorder may be most helpful. Counseling for bipolar disorder can be provided by a:
Other health professionals who also may be trained in counseling include:
Learning as much as you can about bipolar disorder may help you recognize mood changes in your child as they start to occur. You can then take steps to help reduce your child's symptoms and control moods. Find a counselor your child trusts, and make sure they take any medicines.
Your child's risk for bipolar disorder or other mood disorders is higher if the child:
Counseling along with medicine can work well to manage bipolar disorder. Types of counseling include:
Even with treatment, symptoms of bipolar disorder can be hard to manage. This can make school a challenge. Regular communication with your child and with teachers, coaches, and other staff is an important part of helping your child succeed.
Work with your child and your child's teachers and school counselor to build an individualized education program (IEP). This plan takes into account your child's specific needs. It lets teachers and staff members know how they can help your child. The plan should be reviewed from time to time to keep up with any changing needs.
Several conditions regularly occur along with bipolar disorder that at first may share some of the same features. Conditions that might be present along with bipolar disorder in children and adolescents include:
This is a behavioral condition in which people have trouble paying attention, may be more active than normal, and tend to act without thinking.
This is a childhood or adolescent disorder that involves defiant behavior, such as violating social rules or hurting other people.
Although these conditions share similar symptoms, they are separate, distinguishable disorders. Each condition requires appropriate treatment.
The cause of bipolar disorder isn't completely understood. There are likely many factors involved. It seems to run in families. Your child has a greater risk of having bipolar disorder if a close family member has it.
Bipolar disorder causes mood swings with extreme ups (mania) and downs (depression). When children with this problem are up, they have brief, intense outbursts or feel irritable or extremely happy several times almost every day. They have a lot of energy and are very active. When they're down, they feel depressed and sad.
©2011-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated