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The Bipolar Child
Early Onset Bipolar Disorder By Gwen Morrison
Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, is now being diagnosed in younger children, according to the most recent research information. The National Association for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) describes childhood-onset bipolar disorder as abnormally intense mood swings that alternate from periods of severe highs (mania) to severe lows (depression). Children experience rapid mood swings that can cycle many times within a day. In adults the disorder presents itself with intense moods that last for weeks rather than cycling so quickly.
"Up until five years ago, children with symptoms of bipolar disorder were diagnosed as severe ADHD, depressed or oppositional defiant," says George T. Lynn, a certified mental health counselor from Kirkland, Wash. In his book Survival Strategies for Parenting Children with Bipolar Disorder (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2001), Lynn offers his expert advice on how to recognize symptoms, understand medication and other important information for parenting a child with bipolar disorder.
Though it is rare in children who are younger than 12, there are new studies that indicate the signs of bipolar disorder are present at an early age, but go largely unrecognized.
"The instance of misdiagnosis is improving with the work of Dr. Joseph Biederman, and others," Lynn says. "Statistically 22 to 27 percent of kids with a primary diagnosis of ADHD meet the criteria for bipolar disorder. Upwards of 95 percent of those diagnosed with bipolar disorder meet the criteria for ADHD. It is important to note that medication that is used to treat ADHD may precipitate mania in children with bipolar disorder. This is why it is vitally important to identify kids in this first group."
There are certain criteria that must be met when making this diagnosis in children. NAMI lists symptoms in its handbook that is part of a course called Visions for Tomorrow. This class is a helpful tool for parents dealing with mental health issues at home.
Symptoms of Mania- Severe changes in mood compared to others of the same age group unusually happy, silly.
- Unrealistic highs in self-esteem or grandiosity a child who feels especially connected to God, for example, or has the feeling of immortality.