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Does your child have Bipolar Disorder?
- By Jim De Fazio
- Published January 23rd, 2009
- Child Health
- Unrated
Although incidences of bipolar disorder are becoming common, there is very little awareness about this disease. While it is a serious illness, it is treatable.
Bipolar disorder can greatly affect a person's social development and career since it can cause noticeable changes in a person's behavior due to the serious psychological symptoms. In America alone, there are more than 2 million people living with bipolar disorder. It can occur in childhood but the peak years are during late adolescence and early adulthood.
How common is Bipolar in Children?
The diagnosis of bipolar in children is very rare. According to some studies, the onset of the disorder prior to the age of ten can be diagnosed for about 0.3% to 0.5% of the people affected with it. Some case studies even suggest a prevalence rate that is higher. The number of children living wit this disorder has increased 40-fold from the year 1994 to the year 2003 and is steadily increasing. Recent studies suggest that bipolar can strike as early as the age of seven years old.
Bipolar in Adolescents and Adults
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 receive a great set-back since these are the critical
periods in the development of a young adult's life. In any given year, about 2.6 percent of people aged 18 years and above, suffer from bipolar illness.
The symptoms of bipolar are different in adults than in children, which presents a diagnostic challenge to professionals in the field of mental health. Bipolar in adults has predictable patterns of symptoms, while children with this disorder exhibit explosive outburst and irritable moods. Further, bipolar children may experience the cycles of manic-depressive far more rapidly as compared to adults.
More often than not, bipolar disorders in children may not be diagnosed due that the fact that some of the symptoms can mimic symptoms of other 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 and substance abuse. Bipolar must be carefully managed throughout the life of the person since it is a long-term disorder.
Because bipolar disorder can be overlooked, it is necessary to be knowledgeable about the disorder. Also, since in some cases it tends to run in families, it is wise to consult a psychologist as soon as possible, if you see the symptoms in your child . Bipolar disorder should be taken seriously since it is one of the reasons for people to commit suicide. If diagnosed early and with proper management, it can easily be treated.
Bipolar disorder can greatly affect a person's social development and career since it can cause noticeable changes in a person's behavior due to the serious psychological symptoms. In America alone, there are more than 2 million people living with bipolar disorder. It can occur in childhood but the peak years are during late adolescence and early adulthood.
How common is Bipolar in Children?
The diagnosis of bipolar in children is very rare. According to some studies, the onset of the disorder prior to the age of ten can be diagnosed for about 0.3% to 0.5% of the people affected with it. Some case studies even suggest a prevalence rate that is higher. The number of children living wit this disorder has increased 40-fold from the year 1994 to the year 2003 and is steadily increasing. Recent studies suggest that bipolar can strike as early as the age of seven years old.
Bipolar in Adolescents and Adults
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 receive a great set-back since these are the critical
The symptoms of bipolar are different in adults than in children, which presents a diagnostic challenge to professionals in the field of mental health. Bipolar in adults has predictable patterns of symptoms, while children with this disorder exhibit explosive outburst and irritable moods. Further, bipolar children may experience the cycles of manic-depressive far more rapidly as compared to adults.
More often than not, bipolar disorders in children may not be diagnosed due that the fact that some of the symptoms can mimic symptoms of other 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 and substance abuse. Bipolar must be carefully managed throughout the life of the person since it is a long-term disorder.
Because bipolar disorder can be overlooked, it is necessary to be knowledgeable about the disorder. Also, since in some cases it tends to run in families, it is wise to consult a psychologist as soon as possible, if you see the symptoms in your child . Bipolar disorder should be taken seriously since it is one of the reasons for people to commit suicide. If diagnosed early and with proper management, it can easily be treated.