Coping With Bipolar Disorder in Children

Ever noticed sudden and extreme mood swings in your child? Does he often show high levels of excitement and activity only to be unusually irritable and irrationably angry or enraged the next minute? Are your child’s tantrums exceptionally long and easily provoked?

If you answer yes to all three questions, your child may have a condition known as a bipolar disorder or manic-depression. It is a brain disorder that causes frequent and extreme behavior changes in a person. Until, recently children have not been known to acquire or develop bipolar disorders but several doctors agree that children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD may actually be experiencing the early symptoms of a full-blown bipolar disorder.

While considered a very serious condition, this genetically acquired brain disorder is treatable. With early detection and proper diagnosis, monitoring and medication, children with bipolar disorders can lead normal and productive lives.

Early detection and proper diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children can only be successful with involved and observant parents. Try to observe sleep patterns as children with bipolar disorders to tend to feel no need for sleep during mania or highs and thus sleep very little or on the other hand sleep too much during depression. Children who also tend to believe themselves to have super powers and thus figure in dare devil stunts during periods of extreme high while engage in prolonged tantrums during extreme lows may also have bipolar disorder. During depression, children will have no interest in play or socialization.

If you suspect your child to have bipolar disorder, consult with a pediatric psychologist or a psychiatrist. Keep a journal of his mood swings and his hyper active behavior before scheduling an appointment with the doctor. That way, the doctor will be given a good background on the child’s behavior and will thus be able to properly diagnose the existence and the extent of the disorder.

If positively identified to have bipolar disorder, start considering alternative school accomodations for your child. Special education facilities may be necessary in order for your child to adapt and eventually learn to manage his condition. Get your child involved in creative play, arts and music as a form of therapy. Have the teacher carefully monitor his behavior and the development of his socialization skills in relation with other children.

Moreover, children under medication may suffer from side effects such as frequent thirst and urination as well as a heated feeling. They may also feel fatigue and sleepiness during lows while becoming agitated the next. Constantly consult with your child’s teacher on his development in school.

At home, make sure that siblings and members of your family are made aware of your child’s condition. This will help the rest of the family adjust to the mood swings and understand your child’s unusual behavior. This will help ensure that despite their condition, children with bipolar disorder are given the love and care they need.

With proper guidance, medication and care, children with bipolar disorder will eventully learn to cope with their condition, manage their mood swings, live normal and happy childhoods and consequently develop into productive adults.

About the Author

Please visit Bipolar Disorder and Skin Care for more information

Agnetha Fältskog- Take Good Care Of Your Children- Slideshow

Child-Care Quality Rating and Improvement Systems in Five Pioneer States: Implem $23.96

CARE HYPO-ALLERGENIC TESTED BABY CHILDREN POWDER VERY MIX BERRY BERRIES 50 G. $6.29

TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL Just for Kids Organic Cold Care $26.98

NEW CARE BEARS & FRIENDS Stuffed Kids Outdoor Play Soft Small Ball $0.99

CARE BEARS 8 VHS Movies Lot Birthday Monkey Cheer Princess ++ Children VCR Tapes $15.95

Wong’s Nursing Care of Infants And Children by David Wi $27.89

Care for Kids: The Essential Guide to Preparing Caregivers Dr. Wayne Warrington, $3.99

Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care: Sixth Revised Edition Benjamin Spock M.D., Mich $4.99

2951-54 EARTH DAY KIDS CARE FDC SET BY MYSTIC 1995 $9.88

New Care Bears Kid’s Stuff Up Soft Paly Ball Very Cute Lovely for KIDS $0.99

Practical Nurse Nursing Care of Children Review Modu… $8.99

Wong’s Nursing Care of Infants And Children: Hockenberry and Wilson $125.00

CHILDREN CARE SERVICES DIRECTORY WEBSITE – OVER 48,000 LISTINGS ON THE SITE $9.99

MATERNAL CHILD NURSING CARE THIRD EDITION 2006 CD NOT INCLUDED 2G $19.99

Seeing Red VHS OOP Sarah Lancashire Masterpiece Theatre Child Foster Care $39.99

1994 CABBAGE PATCH KIDS ad page ~ Love N Care Baby $5.99

New 3.8″ Care Bears Stuffed Soccer Kids Play Ball #1151 $0.98

The Care and Feeding of Your Diabetic Child by Sally… $6.25

We Care: A Preschool Curriculum for Children Ages 2-5 (A Good Year Book), Bertie $8.80

NEW Health Logbook of Medical Care for Children – Li… $8.35

The Care Bears Care for You, Kids Stuff Records Kss5034 $1.00

Care Bears Baby Wipes Travel Case BLUE for Boys, Infant, child, kids, babies NIP $3.46

Care Bears Baby Wipes Travel Case PINK for Girls, Infant, child, kids babies NIP $3.46

Cupcake Flavored Floss- Cupcake- Pastry- Fun Novelty Gift- Kids-Oral Care- NEW $3.95

NEW Pre-school Care Bears and Friends Children Outdoor playing Small ball soft $0.99

Taking Care of Your Child: A Parent’s Illustrated Guide to Complete Medical Care $3.98

6 Daycare Nap Cots child care sleeping school cot bed $147.97

Taking Care of Your Child by Donald M. Vickery, J Fries $1.55

Creative Curriculum for Family Child Care by Diane Trister Dodge and Diane… $5.99

Maternal Child Nursing Care NEW by Shannon E. Perry $53.37

Care Bears Sleeping Sweet Dreams handmade fabric childrens carry all bag $5.89

Disney’s~ Care Bears 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ~ Children’s Cartoon Film (DVD) In Russian $15.00

Russian child care committee OVERPRINT MEZHRABPROM Old $119.99

Managing Managed Care (Clinical Child Psychology Library) – Paperback $7.49

Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care by Benjamin Spock, #141 $0.99