Many health issues which are best known to afflict adults can also be found in children. One such disorder which most people think only adults have to deal with is manic-depression, which is also known as bipolar disorder. This malady is a condition which is serious but it is also a very treatable illness. Bipolar disorder in children is something which has up until recently been very difficult to recognize in the childhood years. Fortunately it is now possible to make the proper diagnosis for these children and begin treatment early in their life.
Since there have been more studies on bipolar disorder, it has been found that children as early as young toddlers can be affected by this illness. Just as in adults, bipolar disorder in children is a serious matter and it must be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible to ensure that the individual can lead a normal life. Since doctors now can make a successful diagnosis of the disorder in children, it is helping many people with the illness have a stable life earlier, which in turn brings about a higher quality of life for them.
When an individual has bipolar disorder, they experience incredible changes in both their mood and energy level. With the recent studies which have been made, it is suspected that some of the attention deficit disorder with hyper activity (also known as ADHD) may actually be the early signs of bipolar disorder. In some instances it may even coexist with the ADHD. More studies have to be done in this area before anything can be said for sure about this theory, but if it is proven correct with further studies, then millions of children may not be getting the treatment they need.
When depression is found in children and young teens, is often a chronic condition. This refers to clinical depression, and not just a rainy day case of the blues. It has been suggested by several studies that children and young teens who suffer from recurrent chronic depression may be experiencing the early signs of bipolar disorder. Usually these children have not experienced the incredibly energetic manic side of the illness.
Bipolar disorder in children presents itself with an array of symptoms, which on their own might not raise any red flags, however when several are present together, it is certainly time for concern.
A child with bipolar disorder experiences irritability and intense sadness and may lose all interest in play. Their mood may change from one extreme to the other, possibly lasting from just a few hours to several days. The child may suddenly begin to sleep a lot more than they used to or they may begin to sleep very little. It is not uncommon for a child with this disorder to become very destructive and have very explosive rampages which may run quite lengthy.
Other symptoms of bipolar disorder in children are: reckless behaviors with no fear of being hurt, inappropriate sexual behavior, hallucinations, and bed wetting accompanied by night terrors.
It is important to understand that bipolar disorder in children is not just natural and rambunctious behavior in children, but an abnormal attitude and behavior which must be diagnosed and treated for the life of the individual. Since there are more studies being done on this subject, we are sure to see more treatments and more children being properly diagnosed in the future.
