How to Parent Bipolar Children

Video Transcript

"Hi, I'm Dr. Laura Grashow a license psychologist with DrGrashow.com. Okay, now let's talk a little bit about how to parent a child with bipolar disorder. Diagnosing children with bipolar disorder historically has been somewhat controversial but children as young as six have been diagnosis with bipolar disorder. The first thing that you want to know is that there's some overlap in symptoms between bipolar disorder in children and ADHD. Typically what we see in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is irritability, hyperactivity and distractibility and that can also present in children who have bipolar disorder. However, what's distinguishing are what distinguishing in children with bipolar disorder are behaviors such as hyper sexual behavior, a decrease need for sleep, a very elated mood grandiose thinking and a flight of ideas or jumping quickly from topic to topic. So, these behaviors are markers for bipolar disorder in children. There's specifically markers for mania. This is a difficult diagnosis for parents especially and my first recommendation is that you really not try to go in it alone. You need the input of a qualified pediatrics psychologist to help you decide which medications to use and you also going to need the input and support of a qualified mental health professional whose familiar with this diagnosis childhood. Remember don't go this one alone. Get help from psychologist, mental health workers such as psychologist and support groups are also key."