Diagnosing Bipolar Symptoms in Children Can Be Difficult

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.

Manic Depression is what we now know as Bipolar Disorder. While it can be hereditary and environmental, according to studies it is suggested that the primary cause of this is due to a shortage of Serotonin, a natural occurring chemical that balances and controls mood. Extreme mood swings are the main symptom due to the shortage of Serotonin but there are also other things to look out for as there are four phases to the disorder.

The Common Symptoms and the Four Phases of Bipolar Disorder:

Mania or Manic, Hypomania, Depression and Mixed episode are the four phases or moods that are split on each side of normal and balanced moods that most people vary little from. They can vary in degrees, and some people are more prone to episodes of mania over depression or vice versa, but some can alternate frequently or infrequently between the two sides of normal.

In the mania or manic phase, people have extreme energy and euphoria, and typically talk fast and seem hyperactive in general.

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.

In the depression phase, there is a tendency to sleep more, gain weight, have higher irritability and unpredictable mood swings involving guilt and can lose touch with reality.

A mixture of high energy with a depressed mood is what is experienced in the mixed emotion phase. It is usually a combination of anxiety mixed with racing thoughts.

Common Symptoms of Bipolar in Children:

Similar to the four phases are the typical symptoms of bipolar in children who include irritability, frequent mood swings, hyperactivity and impulsivity, restless and fidgeting.

Studies show that a staggering 80% of bipolar children may come from families where both parents were either alcoholics or may have had bipolar disorder themselves.

Symptoms of bipolar n 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 vital that the symptoms of bipolar in children be diagnosed as early as possible as episodes may get worse in time.