Dr. Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, a psychiatrist with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., states that the occurrence of bipolar disorder in children is nearly the same as in adults, approximately 1 percent of that population. It is important to note the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder---also known as manic depressive disorder---in children and adolescents so they can get the therapy and other medical treatment they need.
Behavior
Some symptoms of bipolar disorder in adolescents can show up externally. For example, in the manic phase, your adolescent child may suddenly come to believe he has talents or abilities that are special, when these have not presented themselves previously. Also in the manic phase, your child may act abnormally silly or happy. Agitation also is a sign of the manic phase. During the depressive phase, activities that were favorites of your adolescent may no longer interest her. The manic phase also can produce behavior that is risky; for adolescents, this can include substance abuse, such as alcohol or drug use.
Moods
In both the depressive and manic phases of adolescent bipolar disorder, your child may exhibit changes in moods from the norm. For example, in the depressive phase, the child may be depressed or sad for no apparent reason. In the manic portion of the condition, he may get negative and be petulant.
Other Symptoms
Bipolar disorder is characterized by swings from the manic, or "up," phase to the depressive, or "down," phase. These may last for days, weeks or months. Symptoms can present themselves throughout these phases, while others may be internalized by the adolescent child, just as happens in adults who suffer from bipolar disorder. Other signs and symptoms to watch for may include concentration difficulties in which the child begins something, gets bored, switches to something else and so on. This also can affect attention in class and affect how your child copes with homework. Also in the manic phase, your adolescent may not sleep as often or as much as she usually does. In the depressive swing, he may say he has physical maladies, such as headaches. Sometimes, these symptoms may resemble those associated with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, so your adolescent may be hard do diagnose.
