Bipolar Disorder In Children

Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder in Children

Bipolar disorder is an illness most often detected for the first time in adolescence or adulthood. However, bipolar disorder in children can occur and is sometimes also referred to as early onset bipolar disorder. Manic depression is another general term used to describe this illness. Symptoms in children with bipolar disorder are very much the same as those manifested in teens and adults. There will be emotional ups and downs, often with normal periods in between. These ups and downs are known as manic and depressive episodes.

During a manic episode, the child may be especially energetic or hyper. They may sleep less, be overly sensitive to stimuli and more easily agitated than usual. They might also display defiance to authority and show a tendency towards outbursts and temper tantrums. During a depressive episode, the child may display excessive sadness, crying, changes in appetite and sleep routines, and a loss of interest in favorite activities. These emotional swings can be stressful and traumatic not only for the afflicted child, but their parents or caregivers as well.

The good news is that more is known about early onset bipolar disorder than ever before. If you suspect your child may have this disorder, prompt medical attention is extremely important. Your child's pediatrician should be the first line of contact. They may diagnose the child, or they may refer you to a psychiatrist with more experience in diagnosing and treating children suffering from bipolar disorder.

The first step in treating a child with bipolar disorder is stabilization. Your child's physician or psychiatrist will determine whether or not medication is appropriate. The most common types of medications used to treat bipolar children are antipsychotics and mood stabilizers. Antidepressants are usually not used because they have been shown to increase the risk of mania in both children and adults. In addition, there may be an increased risk of suicide in children and teens taking antidepressants. Whether or not your child should take antidepressants is a decision that is between you and your child's doctor or psychiatrist.

Therapy is often also used when treating bipolar disorder in children. Talk therapy with an experienced professional can help your child understand more about their illness. They will also often be taught coping strategies and stress management techniques. In addition to individual therapy, bipolar children may also need to attend group therapy and/or therapy sessions with parents. When therapy is used in conjunction with any necessary medication, children with bipolar disorder are often able to lead normal lives.

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Bipolar Disorder News:

Court upholds damages in bipolar disorder discrimination case - Canada.com

Court upholds damages in bipolar disorder discrimination case
Canada.com, Canada - Aug 24, 2008
OTTAWA - An $80000 judgment against an Ottawa company that dismissed a man with bipolar disorder has been upheld by an Ontario court. .

Cardiff sheds light on bipolar disorder - News Wales

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Review by S. Nassir Ghaemi, MD, MPH - Metapsychology

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"Read Emily Martin's book about bipolar disorder," he told the audience. "Then you will see the dangers of this kind of labeling. .

Most important things we can give: love, time (BizJournals)
Dr. Paul Keck Jr. is president and CEO of the $28 million, 64-bed Lindner Center of Hope in Mason and executive vice chairman and Lindner Professor of Psychiatry & Neuroscience in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. A graduate of Dartmouth College and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Keck is an expert in bipolar disorder and has published more ...

ART FOR A BIPOLAR SOUTH POLE - The Westender

The Westender

ART FOR A BIPOLAR SOUTH POLE
The Westender, Australia - 8 hours ago
Art Auction to help 21-year-old Toowong student walk to the South Pole to raise money for Bipolar Disorder. Jason Hawley, a 21-year-old student from Toowong .

Early-Onset Bipolar Disorder - Focus (subscription)

Early-Onset Bipolar Disorder
Focus (subscription) - 16 hours ago
Meyer{at}cshs.org Despite dramatic increases in the rate at which bipolar disorder is being diagnosed in children and adolescents, there remain several .

NARSAD Introduces 'Healthy Minds Across America,' an International Event Recognizing the Toll of Mental Illness, on . (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
People concerned about the toll that mental health disorders are taking on their families and communities will have a unique opportunity to hear from world-class experts on what is known to-date about the causes, symptoms and progression of such illnesses as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia and autism, and learn about current and potential treatments...

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