Disease: bipolar disorder
Question: for bipolar disorder, bipolar disorder in children and teens?
Answer: Diagnosing bipolar disorder in children is controversial, largely because children don�t always display the same bipolar disorder symptoms as adults. Their moods and behaviors may also not follow the standards doctors use to diagnose the disorder in adults.
Many bipolar disorder symptoms that occur in children also overlap with symptoms of other conditions that commonly occur in children, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
However, in the last few decades, doctors and mental health professionals have come to recognize the condition in children. A diagnosis can help children get treatment, but reaching a diagnosis may take many weeks or months. It may be worth seeking care from a professional who specializes in treating children with mental health conditions.
Like adults, children with bipolar disorder experience extreme mood shifts. They can appear
very happy and show signs of excitable behavior, or seem very tearful, low, and irritable.
All children experience mood changes, but bipolar disorder causes distinct and noticeable mood symptoms. Mood changes are also usually more extreme than a child�s typical change in mood.
Manic symptoms in children
Symptoms of mania in children can include:
acting very silly and feeling overly happy
talking fast and rapidly changing subjects
having trouble focusing or concentrating
engaging in behaviors that can have harmful effects
having a very short temper that leads quickly to outbursts of anger
having trouble sleeping and not feeling tired after sleep loss
Depressive symptoms in children
With bipolar disorder, symptoms of depressive episodes in children can include:
moping around, acting very sad, or crying frequently
sleeping too much or too little
having little energy for usual activities or showing no signs of interest in anything
complaining about not feeling well, including having frequent headaches or stomachaches
feelings of worthlessness or guilt
eating too little or too much
thoughts of death or suicide
Other possible diagnoses
Some of the behavior issues you notice in your child could suggest other mental health conditions, such as ADHD or depression. It�s also possible for children to have bipolar disorder with another condition.
Your child�s doctor can offer more guidance and support with noting and tracking your child�s behaviors, which can help them find the right diagnosis.
The correct diagnosis can play a major role in finding the most effective treatment for your child. Treatment, of course, can make a big difference in your child�s symptoms, not to mention their quality of life.
Read more about bipolar disorder in children.
Symptoms in teens
Shifting hormones, plus the life changes that naturally happen with puberty, can make teens seem extremely emotional from time to time.
Yet drastic or rapidly fluctuating changes in mood may suggest a more serious condition, such as bipolar disorder, rather than typical teenage development.
A bipolar disorder diagnosis is most common during the late teen and early adult years.
Common symptoms of mania in teenagers include:
being very happy
�acting out� or misbehaving
taking part in behaviors that may have a harmful effect, like substance use
thinking about sex more than usual
becoming overly sexual or sexually active
having trouble sleeping, without signs of fatigue or being tired
having a very short temper
having trouble staying focused or getting distracted easily
Common symptoms of a depressive episode include:
sleeping too much or too little
eating too much or too little
feeling very sad and showing little excitability
withdrawing from activities and friends
thinking or talking about death and suicide
Remember that many of these signs, like experimenting with substances and thinking about sex, aren�t uncommon teenage behaviors. But if they seem part of a larger pattern of shifting moods or start to affect their day-to-day life, they could be a sign of bipolar disorder or another condition.
Learn more about bipolar disorder in teenagers and how to treat it.