The mental health community's recognition that children may have bipolar disorder is a recent development. Since the mid-1990's extensive research was completed confirming that children may suffer from this disorder. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about 7 percent of children "seen at psychiatric facilities" met the criteria for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Individuals with bipolar disorder are typically first diagnosed as an adult, but early-onset bipolar disorder may begin in childhood or teenage years.
Risk Factors
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry indicates that children with one or both parents who may have bipolar disorder have an increased risk of developing it. Additionally, a family history of substance abuse may be associated with greater risk for bipolar disorder.
Adult Symptoms versus Childhood Symptoms
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, children who develop bipolar disorder at an early age may show more severe symptoms, show them more often and alternate mood more frequently. Additionally, children may not meet the formal diagnostic criteria meant for adults, however, they may still have the disorder.
Manic and Depressive Episodes
The child may alternate between periods of mania and depression. Changes in mood episodes may come slowly or rapidly.
Symptoms of Mania
Mania is a distinct type of mood problem found in bipolar disorder. Evidence of at least one manic episode is needed in order to diagnose bipolar disorder in children. The symptoms of mania in children include an unusually happy mood, to the point of ridiculousness or inappropriateness to the situation, which impairs the child's functioning; inflated sense of self-esteem in which the child's perception of his talents and abilities do not match reality; thoughts and ideas that come very quickly; excessive talking--the child may report feeling pressure to talk; being easily distracted; lack of a need for sleep---the child may stay up all night, yet not be tired; poor decision making abilities---the child frequently engages in high risk activities, such as dangerous acts or promiscuity.
Symptoms of Depression
The child may also experience periods of depressed mood with bipolar disorder. The symptoms of depression include prolonged periods of sadness, occurring most of the day, every day; loss of pleasure in life, showing less excitement about things that the child used to look forward to; irritability or states of agitation; sleep disturbances, such as problems falling asleep or staying asleep, or conversely, wanting to sleep all the time; problems with concentration, which may affect quality of school work; pervasive thoughts of death and/or suicide; loss of motivation and energy, and experiencing fatigue, even after a full night of sleep; feelings of excessive guilt and/or a drop in self-esteem; appetite changes and fluctuations in weight.
References
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Bipolar Disorder In Children and Teens
- Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation: About Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision"; American Psychiatric Association; 2000
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: Child and Adolescent Bipolar Disorder
- National Institute of Mental Health: Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens
