Early Onset Bipolar Disorder Syndrome

Determining early bipolar disorder syndrome

Determining the early signs of bipolar disorder syndrome in children is quite a challenge for medical practitioners. The disorder in children manifests differently and doesn't follow the normal course as it would in adults who suffer from the syndrome. And to make matters worst, not only is it difficult to diagnose but the symptoms overlaps and is very similar to other childhood disorders like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD.

According to studies, bipolar disorder affects only 1% of the youth. However, the number is said to be rising. Technically, the definition of bipolar disorder is a mental illness that displays regular episodes of depression, manila and/or mixed states.

Recent studies indicate children and some adolescents manifest symptoms of both depressive and manic behaviors simultaneously. It should be noted that when bipolar disorder syndrome became apparent in children, it is an indication that the disorder is much severe than the ones that occur in adult patients. The disorder can occur to practically anyone. But there's a bigger chance the children will have the disorder if their parents also suffered from the illness.

Bipolar disorder is an alternating feeling of highs and lows. Among the most common symptoms of mania include sudden and harsh changes in moods. At one point, the kid is happy then the next he'll be silly, or very irritable, or angry, or agitated or even aggressive.

Also feelings of unrealistic highs in self-esteem such as feelings of having some superhero powers are symptoms of mania. If the teenager has sudden bursts of energy and can go for days without little or no sleep, he may be diagnosed as having bipolar disorder syndrome. Other symptoms include excessive talking, easily looses attention, and high risk-taking behaviors like abusing alcohol and drugs, reckless driving, or sexual promiscuity.

But since bipolar disorder covers both the extreme sides of moods, children and teenagers who suffer with the syndrome manifest also depressive symptoms like irritability, persistent sadness, thoughts of death or suicide, frequent crying, low energy level, fatigue, poor concentration, complaints of boredom, frequent complaints of physical illnesses, and changes in eating or sleeping patterns.

With children, bipolar disorder is often mistaken to be ADHD but for adolescents the syndrome is commonly diagnosed as schizophrenia and conduct disorder. Distinguishing between manic behaviors brought about by bipolar disorder and ADHD is not easy. Medications are not enough to make the diagnosis conclusive. Close and meticulous observations are needed to clearly identify and separate the symptoms of both illnesses.

It has been found out children who develop bipolar disorder will most likely display depressive behaviors first before the other symptoms. Moreover, the most prominent manic symptoms that are present in children with bipolar disorder are elation, feelings of grandiosity, racing thoughts, a decreased need for sleep, and hypersexuality.  These five can differentiate bipolar disorder in children from ADHD.

When proper diagnosis has been made and confirmed, treating a child with bipolar disorder syndrome can be undertaken. Effective treatment of the illness starts with properly educating the patient and the family about bipolar disorder syndrome.

Treatment varies from medication to psychotherapy. But what is clear is that there is no single drug or treatment procedure that can cure bipolar disorder. Medications that stabilizes the moods are normally used, drugs like lithium and valproic acid. By stabilizing the moods, the gravity of the manic and depressive episodes will be reduced. Once the moods of the child or adolescent have been stabilized, then they could undergo psychotherapy sessions to help them understand and cope with their environment and society.

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