Juvenile bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive illness, affects approximately 1 million children in the United States every year, according to the Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation. Children with juvenile bipolar disorder may experience intense irritability, annoyance, anger, silliness and excitement one moment and low energy, intense boredom, depression, social withdrawal and suicidal thoughts the next several times a day. Parents should seek medical advice if they suspect that their child has juvenile bipolar disorder.
Uncontrollable Rages
Children with juvenile bipolar disorder often experience uncontrollable rages, according to the American Psychiatric Association. A child with juvenile bipolar disorder may bang his head against a wall, scream hysterically or destroy his own or other people's property when his parents tell him that he cannot do something that he wants to do or when his parents make rules that he must follow. These children do not like to be told "no," and they do not like to comply with authority. The word "no" may trigger intense anger that may resemble a seizure. These children are easily irritated and have a short temper. Anything can cause a child with juvenile bipolar disorder to become enraged. Children with juvenile bipolar disorder rarely experience rages when they are away from the home or away from their parents. The violent and uncontrollable behavior generally occurs in the safety of the child's home and around familiar people, such as parents, friends or family.
Intense Euphoria
A common symptom of juvenile bipolar disorder is intense euphoria, according to the Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation. These children tend to be overly happy and excited even when it is not warranted. A child with juvenile bipolar disorder may act overly silly or giddy at school or in a group of children. This child may laugh and giggle at things that other children do not find funny. A child with juvenile bipolar disorder may be the class clown or the most popular child in class. This child may appear "larger than life" to other children. A child with juvenile bipolar disorder may talk excessively and have an overly exaggerated self-esteem. Other children may find this child to be immature or childish.
Inattention and Hyperactivity
Inattention and hyperactivity are common symptoms of juvenile bipolar disorder. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry states that 80 percent of children with juvenile bipolar disorder have some attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms. Children with juvenile bipolar disorder tend to have trouble paying attention and sitting still for long periods of time. They are usually unable to focus on tasks and have difficulty completing assignments on time. A child with juvenile bipolar disorder may fidget in his seat, mess with other people's belongings, run around the house or classroom and get easily distracted. In addition, these children are more prone to risky and impulsive behavior.
Sleep Problems
The National Institute of Mental Health states that children with juvenile bipolar disorder have problems sleeping. These children tend to sleep too long or not sleep enough. A child with juvenile bipolar disorder may have difficulty getting to sleep and staying sleep. If the child is experiencing depression, he will complain that he is always tired and sleepy, but if he is experiencing intense euphoria, it will take a lot to tire him out. The child experiencing intense euphoria will have trouble settling down and resting. In contrast, a child who is experiencing depression may sleep too much and never want to get out of bed. This child may seem half asleep or grumpy and may fall asleep at school.
Grandiose Behavior
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a common symptom of juvenile bipolar disorder is grandiose behavior. Children with juvenile bipolar disorder tend to think they are better than other people. These children think they are smarter than other children, teachers and even their parents. A child with juvenile bipolar disorder may think that he is perfect and find joy in pointing out other people's mistakes and inconsistencies. In addition, children with juvenile bipolar disorder may believe that they have superhuman powers. A child with juvenile bipolar disorder may think he has the strength of the Incredible Hulk or that he can fly like Superman.
Sexual Obsessions
An obsession with sex is also a common symptom of juvenile bipolar disorder, according to American Psychiatric Association. These children tend to act older than their age by flirting with adults. These children tend to be fascinated with sex. They talk about sex and dream about sex. A child with juvenile bipolar disorder may try to aggressively touch a teacher's breast or grab a man's penis. In addition, a child with juvenile bipolar disorder may use explicit sexual language when talking to other children and adults.
Depression
Another common symptom of juvenile bipolar disorder is depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. When children with juvenile bipolar disorder are not experiencing intense euphoria, they are more than likely experiencing depression. A child suffering from depression may experience bouts of extreme sadness, he may complain of headaches or other aches and pains, feel worthless, eat too much or too little, have little interest in activities that he used to enjoy or complain of little or no energy. In severe cases, a child with juvenile bipolar disorder may obsess about death or become suicidal.
References
- Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation: About Juvenile-Onset Bipolar Disorder
- National Institute of Mental Health: Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens?
- American Psychiatric Association: Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: The Increased Diagnosis of Juvenile Bipolar Disorder
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: Child and Adolescent Bipolar Disorder
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
