It is a common illness characterized by recurrent episodes of mania and major depression.
Some children even experience mixed symptoms of both mania and depression at the same time.
Other children may have more moderate symptoms of mania called hypomania. Episodes of both kinds often follow stressful life events or is not essential for diagnosis. The first episode may occur at any age from childhood to old age. The frequency of episodes and the pattern of remissions and relapses are both very variable, though commoner and longer lasting after middle age. It is extremely important these children affected by Bipolar Disorder have strong, supportive parents, caregivers, and family.