Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder in which the person suffers from alternating states of deep depression and extreme elation and/or intense irritability (referred to as mania). No one knows exactly what causes Bipolar, but current scientific consensus points to many factors including genetics, environment, and brain structure and brain activity.

• One percent of the U.S. adult population have Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar disorder typically develop in late adolescence and early adulthood; however children can have this disorder
• It is more likely to affect children with parents who have the disorder
• The most effective treatment combines medication and psychotherapy to cope with and manage the symptoms
• Alcohol and drug use are common with people who have Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is different than general moodiness. It is a severe form of both the highs and lows that people feel. Depressive states are often so low the person is suicidal. The high periods can lead to psychosis (hallucination, delusions, confused thinking) as well as engagement in dangerous or destructive activities. Bipolar disorder is difficult to diagnose. Symptoms of ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, and Bipolar often overlap. It is important that the mental health professional considers these other disorders does a thorough evaluation before making a diagnosis.

Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:

• Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
• Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
• Extreme irritability
• Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
• Distractibility, can't concentrate well
• Little sleep needed
• Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
• Poor judgment
• Spending sprees
• A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
• Increased sexual drive
• Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
• Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
• Denial that anything is wrong

Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include:

• Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
• Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Restlessness or irritability
• Sleeping too much, or can't sleep
• Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
• Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

What does Bipolar disorder look like in Children?

In children the illness may look different than it does in adults. Children usually have an ongoing, continuous mood disturbance that is a mix of mania and depression. This rapid and severe cycling between moods produces chronic irritability and few clear periods of wellness between episodes.

Behaviors reported by parents in children diagnosed with bipolar disorder may include:

• an expansive or irritable mood
• extreme sadness or lack of interest in play
• rapidly changing moods lasting a few hours to a few days
• explosive, lengthy, and often destructive rages
• separation anxiety
• defiance of authority
• hyperactivity, agitation, and distractibility
• sleeping little or, alternatively, sleeping too much
• bed wetting and night terrors
• strong and frequent cravings, often for carbohydrates and sweets
• excessive involvement in multiple projects and activities
• impaired judgment, impulsivity, racing thoughts, and pressure to keep talking
• dare-devil behaviors (such as jumping out of moving cars or off roofs)
• inappropriate or precocious sexual behavior
• delusions and hallucinations
• grandiose belief in own abilities that defy the laws of logic (ability to fly, for example)

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder in adolescents?

In adolescents, bipolar disorder may resemble any of the following classical adult presentations of the illness.

Symptoms of mania include:

• elevated, expansive or irritable mood
• decreased need for sleep
• racing speech and pressure to keep talking
• grandiose delusions
• excessive involvement in pleasurable but risky activities
• increased physical and mental activity
• poor judgment
• in severe cases, hallucinations

Symptoms of depression include:

• pervasive sadness and crying spells
• sleeping too much or inability to sleep
• agitation and irritability
• withdrawal from activities formerly enjoyed
• drop in grades and inability to concentrate
• thoughts of death and suicide
• low energy
• significant change in appetite

For more information:

http://www.bpkids.org/site/PageServer

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/bipolarmenu.cfm