The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown. Recent studies have shown that heredity plays a major role. The symptoms of Bipolar Disorder are not the same as those in adults other than the alternating mood swings, and these may be overlooked. Although many of the symptoms of the two disorders are the same, their origins differ. Once the child is stable, therapy to help him understand the nature of the illness and how it affects him is critical.
Medications used for stabilizing mood include lithium, depakene and tegretol.
New mood stabilizers such as neurontin, topamax and lamictal are currently being tested and used for children. Psychotic symptoms and aggressive behavior are often treated with anti-psychotic medications such as risperdal, zyprexa, mellaril, trilafon and haldol. Klonopin and ativan are also used to treat anxiety, induce sleep and slow rapid cycling. Antidepressant medications are very risky and not recommended as they may induce mania and hypomania in children with bipolar disorder. Bipolar Parents is another site with information and plenty of warm support for parents of bipolar children.