Is My Young Adolescent Child Bipolar?

by Ken P Doyle

Bipolar Children can show symptoms of bipolar at a very young age but only later were diagnosed. While some have their first symptoms of this illness identified during young childhood others develop them later in adolescent or later in life. This illness can be genetic, because children whose parents are with the disease can get bipolar compared to those whose parents are not with the illness.

Other Symptoms to Watch out for

The common signs of this mental illness in children are the severe mood swings from high to low in a few minutes. They can experience high followed straight after by low, calm then extreme anger in a matter of a short time. Children with severe mania symptoms are bad tempered and liable to destructive tantrums than to be very happy. When compliant to their drugs, they can be terrific children but without their prescribed drug they become extremely angry and irritable very easily.

Other Signs

Because other problems and emotional changes are occurring within these age groups, this disorder in young ones is not easy to diagnose. Irritability and aggressiveness can indicate bipolar illness but they can also be signs of other mental health illness like attention deficit, oppositional conduct, defiant disorder and even hyperactivity disorder. depression or schizophrenia is also found in this age groups. Those on illicit drug abuse can lead to symptoms close to that of bipolar. Older adolescents has a much closer link to the adult-type episodes and its symptoms than those younger adolescent.

Other physical Signs

This illness has seen some children use bad language to their parents, tend to run away from school, are dishonest and disobedient. It is usual for those with this disease to be moody irritable and get angry more often than normal. When they are going through symptoms of depression their self-esteem, confidence and ambition can take a turn for the worse.

Final Words

Like any other mental disease, bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that must be carefully managed throughout a patients life. Appropriate diagnosis for those with the disorder is needed for an effective treatment. If your child is showing emotional and behavioral symptoms do not hesitate to let them be evaluated by a mental health professional. On the other hand if they start talking about suicide or become suicidal, take them seriously and refer them to the health specialists in your area.

About the Author:

Posted under depression

This post was written by Ed J Price on June 21, 2009

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Support Groups and Effects of Bipolar Symptoms

by Ken P Doyle

Bipolar disorder symptoms are characterized by an alternating pattern of emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). The intensity of signs and symptoms can vary from mild to severe. There may even be periods when your life doesn't seem affected at all. On the other hand, a bipolar support group can do a lot to alleviate the pains associated with the disorder. That bipolar support group can be composed of family, friends and school teachers.

The Challenges of Bipolar Disorder

Individual experiencing extremes of high and low, bipolar disorder is a brain illness that affects the mood. With the constant shifting of emotions that they become unable to carry on with the demands of daily activities or the maintenance of healthy relationships, bipolar disorder patients do find it hard to cope with the constant shifting of emotions.

Bipolar Disorder and Its Symptoms

Bipolar disorder is a biological illness with psychological effects. Bipolar symptoms include depression and feelings of hopelessness during the depressive phase of the condition. Other depressive symptoms include thoughts of suicide, alterations in sleep patterns, and loss of interest in activities that once were a source of pleasure. Symptoms of manic states are varied and include restlessness, increased energy, euphoric mood, racing thoughts, poor judgment, intrusive or provocative behavior, difficulty concentrating, and a decreased need for sleep.

Signs of Bipolar Disorder

Because Bipolar Disorder can go undetected for a long time it is very important to be very observant and alert to the signals of the symptoms. Most often, bipolar disorder symptoms become apparent in late adolescence or late teens but manic-depressive illness can begin to show itself during early childhood or late adulthood.

Some of the visible signs in bipolar disorder are: feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, isolation, or hopelessness; disturbances in sleep and appetite; fatigue and loss of interest in usually enjoyable activities; problems concentrating; loneliness, self-loathing, apathy or indifference; depersonalization; loss of interest in sexual activity; shyness or social anxiety; irritability, chronic pain (with or without a known cause); lack of motivation; and becoming suicidal.

Helping Bipolar Patients

With early intervention, bipolar disorder can be treated. The mood swings of those afflicted with the condition can be stabilized and thus help them to live fully functioning lives. One of the treatment modalities involve medications known as mood stabilizers. The medications can be in the form of lithium, valproate, or carbamazepine.

Advantages of Bipolar Support Group

Medications are not the only way to treatment of bipolar disorder. To help them manage themselves during those disturbing mood changes support groups are an integral part of a patients life. Support groups provide a venue for people to know more about the disorder and how to cope with them. With the availability of support groups the isolation and the feeling of loneliness can be addressed.

Joining a support group could be just the ticket to finding the people who understand what its like to live with bipolar. It is a venue where you can find people with the same illness their families and all interested with the illness. Bipolar support groups can be found in local communities, churches and health professionals.

Finally bipolar support groups are designed to provide not just individuals but also the families of individuals suffering from bipolar mania the opportunity to meet with likeminded individuals. It is a place to relax with a group of people who understand and can offer advice on various ways to notice symptoms before they become full blown. You can also learn valuable tips and signs for when a person suffering bipolar is cycling and what to do to help them become stable enough to enjoy a lifestyle.

About the Author:

Posted under depression

This post was written by Ed J Price on March 19, 2009

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