Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder
Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder
How Common Is Bipolar Disorder?
At the moment, it is hard to say. Psychiatrists have not agreed upon a common definition of bipolar disorder in children. Some professionals have a more limited and narrow definition, and some have a more broad and general definition. Also, there is a lack of long-term research on this disorder in children. It is thought that about 1% of children have bipolar disorder, which is similar to the number of adults with the disorder. About 59% of adults with bipolar disorder report that their symptoms started in
childhood.
If My Child Is Depressed, What Are the Risk Factors for Developing Bipolar Disorder?
Risk factors for developing Bipolar Disorder include:
- A family history of bipolar disorder
- Medication-induced mania or
hypomania - Sudden onset of symptoms
- Delusions (fixed false beliefs)
- Moving very slowly (psychomotor retardation)
- Significant increase in need for sleep
What Does Manio or Hypomania Look Like in a Child?
Mania is a period of extreme irritability that lasts for about a week (or less if hospitalization is necessary). During this time, the child would have three or more of the following symptoms:
- Significantly increased self-esteem (for example, feels like a superhero)
- Decreased need for sleep (for example, sleeps 3–4 hours and feels fully rested in the morning)
- Very talkative, difficult to interrupt, and uses rapid speech
- Racing thoughts (difficult to follow a linear path in his or her thoughts)
- Easily distracted
- Increase in goal-directed activity (normal activities done in large amounts)
- Engaging in pleasurable behaviors that are dangerous (for example, sexual talk or actions, or extremely wild driving)
Hypomania is a milder form of mania that does not last as long (four days rather than seven days) and is not severe
enough to require hospitalization.
How Do I Know If It Is ADHD or Bipolar Disorder?
Psychiatrists are working hard to answer this question. Hyperactivity is a common symptom in both ADHD and bipolar disorder—90% of bipolar cases have this symptom. Children who respond inconsistently to psychostimulants (medications that raise the mood or energy level) may have bipolar disorder, rather than ADHD. Also, children with ADHD have symptoms that are chronic, whereas mania occurs in episodes and reflects a change in functioning. A decreased need for sleep and increase in goal-directed activities are two distinguishing features of bipolar disorder. Children with ADHD can be irritable or feel a loss of pleasure or interest in usual activities due to decreased self-esteem and associated depression. Even more confusing is that some children may have both bipolar disorder and ADHD.