Manic depression, commonly known as bipolar disorders, is a psychological and mental illness that brings about serious high and low moods and changes in everyday activities such as sleeping, thinking, eating and changes in behavior and energy levels. People who suffer from bipolar disorders usually experience phases in which they feel excessively energized and happy with other periods of them feeling down, lazy and hopeless. In between these two diverse periods, they feel normal. These highs and lows of an individual are described to be ‘poles’ of mood, which is why it’s called ‘bipolar’ disorder.
The term manic narrates the periods of time wherein an individual with bipolar disorder feels overwhelmingly excited and confident. These emotions, in particular, could include irritability and spontaneous or irresponsible decision making. Approximately fifty percent of people who go through mania also experience delusions (having beliefs in things that appear not to be true and can’t be talked out of) or hallucinations (regular sighting or hearing of things that aren’t there). Hypomania narrates much more mild symptoms of mania, in which an individual is devoid of delusions and hallucinations, and their high symptoms do not interact or influence their normal everyday life. The term depressive narrates the moment in time wherein an individual feels down, sad or depressed. Most people that have bipolar disorders have and experience depressive symptoms than manic or hypomanic symptoms.
Bipolar disorders can very well be found in children as well. Even though it’s much more commonly found in older children and teenagers, bipolar disorder can occur in children of any age. Just as adults, bipolar disorder in kids can cause major mood swings from hyper activeness (mania) to the downs of serious depression. Disruption in feelings and unwanted behavior in children are very common during childhood and teen year but in most scenarios, they aren’t really symptoms or signs of mental health problems that require treatment. Every child goes through setbacks and hard periods in their life and it’s normal for them to feel down, irritated, angry, hyperactive and stubborn at intervals. However the case may be, if your child’s actions seem to be severe, extreme and are causing problems, it may be more than just a regular phase in their life.
What Are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
In every episode of bipolar disorders, the happy, exciting and depressed moods never follow a placed sequence or pattern. A child can feel the same way either happy or sad for long periods of time before later changing his or her mood. These episodes have no set length of time and can last for weeks, months and at times even years.
The severity of the bipolar disorder varies and differs from person to person and can also switch up over time to become much more or less severe.
Below are some signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder in children:
- Severe mood swings that are different from their usual mood swings
- Hyperactive, impulsive, aggressive or socially inappropriate behavior
- Insomnia or significantly decreased need for sleep
- Depressed or irritable mood most of the day, nearly every day during a depressive episode
- Grandiose and inflated view of own capabilities
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors in older children and teens
- Excessive happiness, hopefulness, and excitement
- Sudden changes from being joyful to being irritable, angry, and hostile
- Restlessness
- Rapid speech and poor concentration
- Increased energy and less need for sleep
- Making grand and unrealistic plans
- Showing poor judgment
- Becoming more impulsive during depressive periods
- Loss of energy
- Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
- Not enjoying things they once liked
- Trouble concentrating
- Uncontrollable crying
- Trouble making decisions
- Irritability
- Needing more sleep
- Appetite changes that make them loose or gain weight
Most children who suffer from bipolar disorder usually see symptoms in different phases of their disorder. However, in between these phases that a child’s disorder tends not to be ‘active’, he or she returns to their normal self, mood and behavior.
It should also be known that a handful of other disorders experienced during childhood cause similar bipolar-like symptoms. Examples include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety disorders and major depression. Diagnosing a child with one or all of these disorders can be stressful and hard because these and other mental disorders can and often operate along with bipolar disorder.
Possible Causes of Bipolar Disorders in Children
Bipolar disorders have not been found to have a particular cause. However, there are some factors that that interact and could be as of a result.
1. Genetic factors
Some accredited research and studies have suggested and come up with the idea that there could be a genetic linkage to bipolar disorder. It is very possible that a child could have the bipolar disorder from a family member who is with or has had the condition.
2. Biological traits
Studies have also shown that children who have bipolar disorders usually show physical changes in their brains however the link still remains unclear.
3. Hormonal problems
Hormones are responsible for almost any change that is seen in a child’s life. From puberty to growth, your hormones play a huge part. Hormonal imbalances might trigger or cause bipolar disorder.
4. Environmental factors
The environment also has a great effect on a child’s well-being. Abuse, mental stress, a great loss, or some other traumatic event may contribute, influence or trigger bipolar disorder.
It Is also possible that some children who have a genetic predisposition for bipolar disorder may not even experience any symptoms until an environmental factor triggers a mood swing.
How to Help Your Child
When your kid has genuine emotional episodes, wretchedness or conduct issues, counsel a psychological wellness supplier who has some expertise in working with kids and teenagers. State of mind and conduct issues caused by bipolar turmoil or other psychological well-being conditions can prompt real challenges. Early treatment can help avoid genuine results and diminishing the effect of emotional well-being issues on your kid as he or she gets more established.
On the off chance that you speculate that you’re experiencing bipolar confusion, it’s imperative to look for help immediately. The prior you get bipolar turmoil, the better your odds of getting and remaining admirably. An accomplished emotional well-being proficient can make an exact determination and begin you on the way to recuperation. It might require some investment to discover the medications and treatments that work best for you, however, once you do, you’ll rest easy. Successful treatment for bipolar turmoil can soothe manifestations, diminish the recurrence and power of hyper and depressive scenes, and reestablish your capacity to work.
Bipolar disorder is a deep-rooted condition. It runs an unusual course of good and bad times. At the point when left untreated, these good and bad times can be pulverizing. The repeating hyper and depressive scenes that portray the ailment make it hard to lead a steady, beneficial life. In the hyper stage, you might be hyperactive and flippant. In the depressive stage, it might be hard to do anything by any means. Early conclusion and treatment can enable you to maintain a strategic distance from these issues.
Effective treatment of bipolar issue relies upon a blend of elements. Medicine alone isn’t sufficient. So as to get the most out of treatment, it’s imperative to teach yourself about the sickness, speak with your specialists and advisors, have a solid emotionally supportive network, and help yourself by settling on the sound way of life decisions that may diminish your requirement for pharmaceutical. It’s essential to adhere to your treatment design, reassessing with your specialist as changes throughout your life happen.
Recuperating from bipolar confusion doesn’t occur without any forethought. Similarly, as with the emotional episodes of the bipolar issue, treatment has its own particular high points and low points. Finding the correct medications requires significant investment and mishaps happen. However, with a watchful administration and a promise of showing signs of improvement, you can get your indications under control and live without limitations.
A far-reaching treatment gets ready for bipolar turmoil means to alleviate indications, reestablish your capacity to work, settle issues the ailment has caused at home and at work, and decrease the probability of repeat.
An exhaustive bipolar treatment design includes:
1. Medication
Prescription is the foundation of bipolar issue treatment. Taking a state of mind balancing out solution can help limit the highs and lows of bipolar issue and monitor indications.
2. Psychotherapy
Treatment is fundamental for managing bipolar confusion and the issues it has caused in your child’s life. Working with a specialist, your child can figure out how to adapt to troublesome or awkward emotions, repair their connections, oversee pressure, and control their temperament.
3. Instruction
Overseeing side effects and averting inconveniences starts with an intensive information of your child’s ailment. The more your child and your their friends and family think about the bipolar issue, the better capable you’ll have the capacity to stay away from issues and manage difficulties.
4. Way of life administration
Via deliberately managing your way of life, you can help your child keep manifestations and temperament scenes to a base. This includes keeping up a standard rest plan, evading liquor and medications, eating a state of mind boosting diet, following a steady exercise program, limiting pressure, and keeping their daylight introduction stable year-round.
5. Support
Living with bipolar turmoil can be testing, and having a strong emotionally supportive network set up can have a significant effect on your child’s viewpoint and inspiration. Taking an interest in a bipolar issue bolster aggregate gives you the chance to share your encounters and gain from other people who realize what you’re experiencing. The help of loved ones is likewise important. Contacting individuals who adore you won’t mean you’re a weight to others.
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