Diagnosing and Treating Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents

Noel Neu is a licensed counselor in West Palm Beach, FL, where he specializes in providing adolescent counseling and therapy. For more information about Noel’s practice and how you can get help diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder in children and adolescents, visit http://www.empathicpartners.com.

Your six-year-old has a history of emotional behavior that has followed him since he was an infant. He is intelligent, expressive, and a quick learner… He is also as unpredictable as a hurricane. One minute he’s loving and cuddly, the next he’s either violent or screaming so loudly that he can be heard down the block.

You’ve tried everything you can think of to calm his mood swings but nothing seems to work. You’ve heard about bipolar disorder in children and you’re beginning to wonder if your child’s behavior is “normal” or if your child may have a more serious problem.

If this situation and these questions sound familiar, you’re not alone…

The number of children that have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder has increased exponentially over the past decade, and it seems more and more members of the medical community accept that kids develop this disorder.

However, before deciding to pick up the phone to schedule an appointment with a child psychiatrist there are several things you should consider.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder — also referred to as manic-depressive disorder or just manic depression — is commonly defined as a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings ranging from abnormally elevated, manic energy levels to the lows of depression.

But children and adolescents suffering from bipolar disorder experience much more complicated symptoms than extreme mood swings. In fact, bipolar disorder can affect their thoughts, perceptions, feelings, and behavior to such a degree that they have difficulties in school and problems getting along with friends and family members.

Fortunately, bipolar disorder is treatable. Unfortunately, early-onset bipolar disorder — the type developed by children and adolescents — tends to be more severe than bipolar disorder that develops in adulthood. Bipolar disorder also worsens without treatment and many parents fail to recognize the warning signs and get the help their children need.

Bipolar disorder can be a life-long, debilitating condition. However, by getting an accurate diagnosis as early as possible and following a proper treatment plan that commonly involves prescription medications and some form of counseling or psychotherapy, you can help your child gain control over their mood swings and their life.

What Are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents?

Although some adults with the disorder suffer mixed bipolar episodes in which they experience manic and depressive symptoms simultaneously, defined swings from manic episodes to depressive periods are more common.

While many of the symptoms of bipolar disorder are the same in the children and adults, children and adolescents are more likely to suffer mixed episodes as opposed to clear-cut manic and depressive periods.

Other signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents include:

* Explosive tempers
* Rapid mood shifts
* Aggression
* Depression
* Lack of concentration
* Reckless behavior
* Frequently changing sleep patterns

Manic, depressive, and mixed episodes can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few hours or less, but the shifts between any two episodes tend to be dramatic as are the accompanying changes in energy levels and behavior.

For example, your child may have periods of extreme giddiness, long bouts of crying, and outbursts of explosive anger all in one day.

If your child exhibits these symptoms, the following rules of thumb should help you decide whether or not to seek professional help:

* Functioning — Are your child’s behavioral problems affecting his or her ability to function in social situations, at home, or at school? Do your child’s difficulties demand so much attention that they leave little time to attend to anything else?

* Family — Research indicates that children who have a parent or sibling with bipolar disorder or other mental health issues are much more likely to develop bipolar disorder. Is there any history of mental illness in your child’s family?

* Feeling — Does your child feel like something is wrong? Does your child feel overwhelmed by normal, everyday activities or worry about things other children don’t even consider?

If you find yourself answering “Yes” to these questions, you should consult with your family doctor or a licensed mental health professional who is qualified to diagnose bipolar disorder.

Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents

Unfortunately, there are no simple blood tests or brain scans to accurately diagnose bipolar disorder.

The same criteria that are used to diagnose bipolar disorder in adults are used to diagnose children and adolescents. However, children’s and adolescents’ tendency to more erratic, rapid changes in mood, energy levels, and behavior often make diagnosis more problematic.

It’s often difficult for doctors and mental health professionals to tell whether a child is experiencing normal ups and downs, symptoms of some traumatic or highly stressful event, or signs of another mental health issue.

To make matters worse, children and adolescents with bipolar disorder frequently have other behavioral and/or mental health problems, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), separation anxiety disorder, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), or depression. It is not uncommon for parents to seek help for their child for one of these other issues and for both parents and the professionals who diagnose children to miss bipolar disorder in their initial assessment and diagnosis.

Likewise, issues such as ADHD, ODD, separation and other anxiety disorders, and depression can cause mood and behavior problems that are mistaken for bipolar disorder.

If you’re concerned that your child may be suffering from bipolar disorder or some other mental health issue, the best thing you can do is to take your child to a child psychiatrist or other qualified mental health professional and answer all of their questions as openly, honestly, and thoroughly as possible.

Successfully Treating Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents

There is no cure for bipolar disorder. However, ongoing treatment can help your child control the symptoms and live a productive and happy life.

Children and adolescents with bipolar disorder are currently prescribed the same treatments as adults, and treatment most commonly involves a combination of medication and some form of psychotherapy or counseling.

That having been said, everyone responds to different treatments in different ways and it will take some time to find the right combination of medication and therapy that will most be most effective for your child.

* Medication — If your child is suffering from bipolar disorder, it is likely that some form of medication will be required in order to get his or her mood swings under control. Just remember that the medications prescribed for children with bipolar disorder are the same ones used for adults. Make sure you start with low dosages, never take your child off medication without professional assistance, and always discuss any side-effects or other questions and concerns you have with the prescribing physician.

* Therapy — Different kinds of psychotherapy — including play therapy and more traditional “talk” therapy — can help your child manage their behaviors and routines. Counseling can also help your child learn conflict resolution, anxiety management, and social skills that will help them in their interactions and relationships with others.

With an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment plan, your child’s bipolar disorder can get better over time and you will both be able to regain control over your lives and move forward with confidence and optimism.

You may also like to see the following articles:

• When and Why You Should Consider Professional Counseling and Therapy
• Using the Enneagram in Psychotherapy
• You Go First: Why It’s Hard to Start Seeing a Therapist
• Can Counseling and Psychotherapy Help You Overcome Postpartum Depression?
• Great Communication — A Vital Tool to Build a Healthy and More Joyful Relationship

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