Children With Bipolar
Even though it may be a serious matter, bipolar disorder is treatable. It is part of a growing list of mental disorders that have become quite common these days. It affects a persons vocational and social development. Also due to the serious psychological symptoms, the disorder can cause a change in a persons behavior. There is in excess of 2 million people in the US alone living with bipolar disorder. Bipolar is not only confined to adults today but also to children. It maybe common in late adolescence and early adulthood but it is not uncommon in children.
How common is Bipolar in Children?
Though the diagnosis of bipolar in children is considered controversial and rare, according to studies it is estimated that 0.3% to 0.5% of children under the age of ten are affected with bipolar. However, some argue this finding. There has been an increase of over 40-fold from the year 1994 to the year 2003 and it still continues to rise. Other recent studies also suggest that bipolar can strike as early as the age of seven years old .A staggering number compared to previous years.
Bipolar in Young People
The peak years for bipolar is during late adolescence and early adulthood. When people experience bipolar during this time of their lives, it can severely disrupt them because this is usually during the critical stage of their lives. This is the period where the development of vocational and social aspects of a young adults life is most important. About 2.6 percent of people who age 18 years and older suffer from bipolar illness in any given year.
There is a difference in the symptoms of bipolar in adults compared to children. This presents a diagnostic challenge to the professionals in the field of mental health. Unlike the predictable patterns and nature of bipolar symptoms, bipolar disorder children most often exhibit explosive outbursts and irritable moods. They also experience the cycles of manic-depression far more rapidly compared to adult cases.
Bipolar in children is most of the time overlooked because some of the symptoms are close to those of mental disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD. It has even been recorded that bipolar can even co-exist with ADHD.
In adults, bipolar is often not recognized as an illness because it can mask the symptoms of postpartum psychosis, postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and substance abuse. Bipolar must be carefully managed throughout the life of the person since it is a long-term disorder.
It is important to have some knowledge of bipolar disorder because of the possible cases that may cause bipolar to be overlooked. This is really serious because bipolar has even lead many to committing suicide. Bipolar disorder has a good prognosis and can easily be treated if done early and with proper management.
Tags: bipolar, Depression, disease and illness, Family and Home, health, Health & Fitness, health and fitness, Mental Health, mental illness
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