Children With Bipolar

March 2nd, 2009 Posted in Anxiety and Depression

Even though it may be a serious matter, bipolar disorder is treatable. It is part of a growing list of mental disorders that have become quite common these days. It affects a person’s vocational and social development. Also due to the serious psychological symptoms, the disorder can cause a change in a person’s behavior. There is in excess of 2 million people in the US alone living with bipolar disorder. Bipolar is not only confined to adults today but also to children. It maybe common in late adolescence and early adulthood but bipolar in children is not uncommon.

Bipolar in Children

The onset of bipolar disorder prior to the age of ten can be estimated to about 0.3 – 0.5% of all the people affected with the disorder. This is according to studies. Considered controversial and quite rare is the diagnosis of bipolar in children. However some case reviews even suggest a prevalence rate of bipolar in children is higher than the figure given above. From the year 1994 to 2003, the number of kids diagnosed has increased 40-fold. It continues to rise even at this time. The age of seven is the new age where recent studies have suggested bipolar has hit. There are more common cases here compared to the cases handled in the past.

Bipolar in Adolescents

The peak years of the onset of most bipolar illnesses are during late adolescence and early adulthood.  People who are experiencing bipolar during this time of their lives can be severely disrupted since these are the critical periods in the development of vocational and social aspects of a young adult’s life. In any given year, about 2.6 percent of people who age 18 years and older suffer from bipolar illness. 

There is a difference in the symptoms of bipolar in adults compared to children. This presents a diagnostic challenge to the professionals in the field of mental health. Unlike the predictable patterns and nature of bipolar symptoms, bipolar disorder children most often exhibit explosive outbursts and irritable moods. They also experience the cycles of manic-depression far more rapidly compared to adult cases.

More often than not, bipolar disorders in children may be overlooked due that the fact that some of the symptoms of bipolar can mimic other symptoms of mental disorders such as the ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.  Sometimes, bipolar even co-exists with ADHD.

In adults, bipolar is often not recognized as an illness because it can mask the symptoms of postpartum psychosis, postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and substance abuse. Bipolar must be carefully managed throughout the life of the person since it is a long-term disorder.

Having some knowledge on bipolar is important because of the possible cases that may cause bipolar to be overlooked. It is a fact that bipolar has led numerous people to commit suicide. It can be treated if done in at the right time and with proper management.