How to Detect Bipolar Disorder in Children

Detecting bipolar disorder in children is difficult. It is hard to determine if the behaviors that kids exhibit are within the range of normal for their age, if they are due to ADHD or if they have to do with a mood disorder. Bipolar is a mood disorder where the person has extreme mood swings. They are either extremely high and full of energy or very low and depressed. Leaving bipolar disorder unchecked worsens the symptoms and poses severe mental health risks.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mental health professional
• Second opinion
• Drugs to combat symptoms of bipolar

1. The first clue that your child might have bipolar disorder is her irritability and aggression. She may seem to be angered easily and is hard to calm down.

2. Another sign of a child with bipolar is extreme mood swings. If your child goes from being giddy to depressed rapidly and frequently, you may want to have him checked for bipolar disorder.

3. You might also notice that your child needs far less sleep than the average child. They seem to get by on just 4 to 6 hours of sleep per night and then show hyperactive behavior.

4. Kids who are supersmart and are not afraid to tell adults how things are done are at risk for bipolar disorder. In addition, they can see themselves as real-life superheroes. This stems from exaggerating everything.

Tips & Warnings

• Have patience with a bipolar child.
• Work with your child's school to find the best solution for learning under the circumstances.
• Use caution when giving children adult drugs like anticonvulsants, lithium and atypical neuroleptics to control bipolar disorder.
• Get a second opinion once your child has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Resources

• About mental illness
• Bipolar disorder

[jennen]

on 2/6/2009 Great information... thank you for sharing 5***