Examining symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this condition in children.
This paper explores the often misdiagnosed manifestation of bipolar disorder in youth. The paper addresses the misconception that “depression” only affects adults. It looks at the many symptoms of bipolar disorder in children which continues through adolescence. It explains that even though there is no cure for the disorder, there are several treatments available – these are discussed. The paper also lists the type of behavior attributed to a youth suffering from bipolar disorder.
“As a brain disorder affecting of 1 to 2 percent of the general population, bipolar disorder is considered to be genetically transmitted. Other than “bad genes”, there is no other known cause (Durand et al., 2000). The disorder itself is rooted in biochemical imbalances that occur within the central nervous system. Symptoms include extreme mood swings, rise or fall in activity levels, and erratic behavioral changes. Most children with this disorder will go from a nearly euphoric high mood (manic) to a deeply depressed pessimistic and sometimes even suicidal mood (Depressive).”