Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, is a mood disorder that affects children and adults. Patients with bipolar disorder exhibit mood swings between mania (highs) and depression (lows). Treatment options include medication and therapy, though supervision is necessary when medication is used.
Genetics
Statistics provided by the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation state 4 to 6 percent of the general population have a disorder in the bipolar spectrum.
Symptoms
Symptoms of mania include euphoria, racing thoughts, irritability, poor judgment and hallucinations. Depression symptoms include sadness, poor concentration, fatigue and thoughts of death.
Types
Children can be diagnosed with one of four types of bipolar disorder. Bipolar I is primarily mania symptoms; bipolar II is primarily depression symptoms; bipolar NOS contains severe mood swings, but it does not fall under type I or II; cyclothymia has less severe mood changes than other types of bipolar disorder.
Misdiagnosis
Bipolar disorder in children is often misdiagnosed as ADHD, ADHD with depression, depression, borderline personality disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Treatment
Medication options for pediatric bipolar disorder include lithium, anticonvulsants and atypical neuroleptics. The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation recommends psychotherapy.
