According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), more than 10 million Americans are afflicted with the chronic condition of bipolar disorder. The symptoms of bipolar disorder may be hard to handle for children of parents with the disorder, but there are steps parents can take to reduce its impact.
Basics
Bipolar disorder causes a person to have mood swings that can range from the severe lows of depression to the extreme highs of mania. A parent with bipolar disorder could have either bipolar I or bipolar II. The difference between these two types of bipolar disorder is the manic episodes. A parent with bipolar I disorder will experience the extreme highs of mania that can cause significant problems at work and in relationships, while a parent with bipolar II disorder will experience elevation in mood known as hypomania, reports the Mayo Clinic. It is important to note that a parent may also experience mixed episodes where he has both mania and depression at the same time.
Signs and Symptoms
Having a parent with bipolar I disorder might mean that on occasion she displays symptoms such as euphoria, extreme optimism, inflated self-esteem, poor judgment, rapid speech, aggressive behaviors, risky behaviors, increased sex drive, no need for sleep, excessive spending of money, dangerous use of drugs or alcohol, absence from work and delusions, reports the Mayo Clinic. A parent with bipolar II disorder will still experience some of these symptoms while in hypomania, but they will be much less severe and she will usually be able to continue with her daily functioning; she may just appear to have a lot more energy than usual.
Both types of bipolar disorder experience the same type of depressive episodes that include symptoms of sadness, hopelessness, changes in sleep, increased or decreased appetite, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, chronic pain, absences from work, no interest in activities she previously enjoyed and suicidal thoughts, reports the Mayo Clinic.
Considerations
Bipolar disorder can make it hard for a parent to function and properly take care of his children during shifts in mood. When a parent slips into a manic or depressive episode, he may need help and support from those around him to ensure that his children are well cared for until he overcomes the episode. Both manic and depressive states can cause a parent to abandon many of his responsibilities, including his children. Having a predetermined plan in place to ensure the children are taken care of can be essential to maintaining the children’s safety and well-being.
Solution
According to HelpGuide.org, medication and psychotherapy are very important in the treatment of bipolar disorder; both can help regulate mood and avoid relapse. Also, a therapist can help ensure that the safety of the children is maintained when the parent slips into an episode of mania or depression.
Significance
When children have to deal with a parent or parents who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, they may have increased risks of problems in school, with peers and with their self-esteem. According to NAMI, bipolar disorder is often found in people who have family members with the disorder. A child with a parent who has bipolar disorder may be more at risk for developing the disorder themselves.
