Children and Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder

Although bipolar disorder doesn’t usually show signs of development until a person’s early adult years, children and adolescents may still have the disorder. Young people are more likely to have more severe episodes than their older counterparts.

Estimates place about one percent of children in the United States as having bipolar disorder. Indeed, doctors estimate that about one-third of the 3.4 million children in the United States previously diagnosed with depression actually show symptoms of a developing bipolar disorder. It is not uncommon for children to be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder when they actually have bipolar disorder. This only serves to highlight the importance of a correct and thorough evaluation and diagnosis, as some symptoms characteristic of bipolar disorder can also be a sign of another illness, such as epilepsy, head injury, or brain tumor.

Bipolar disorder can be seen in children as young as seven or eight. They may begin showing symptoms earlier. Young kids with bipolar disorder are hit especially hard, and their mood swings may be even more harsh or severe than those of an afflicted adult. A kid who has bipolar disorder, for example, may go into a rage lasting for hours or more after a tantrum, whereas a child without the disorder may only experience a few minutes of irritability. Another reason why bipolar disorder hits children so hard is that they do not have the coping skills of an adult. Adults have had years to gain valuable life experience and most likely have already dealt with difficult situations of some type. Children and adolescents who develop the disorder are very vulnerable because they do not have the same skills, and often children with the disorder do not understand what they are going through.

Fortunately, a combination of medication and psychotherapy can prove helpful in treating children with the disorder. Beginning therapy as soon as possible may even help to prevent future recurrences. Consistent therapy and medication will help to stabilize the child’s mood early on and help the child to lead a functional, manageable life.