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Bipolar in children and symptoms of bipolar covers a ranging degree of seriousness. It is occasionally difficult to detect the symptoms of bipolar and bipolar in children due to this as confusion with other issues like hyperactivity, attention deficit or allergies in children. This can also be misconstrued in adults as other things especially if they are on drugs and/or alcohol.

Once commonly known as Manic Depression, studies suggest that its hereditary and environmental is primarily due to a shortage of Serotonin which is a natural occurring chemical that balances and controls moods. Because of the shortage of serotonin, extreme mood swings are the primary symptoms. However, there are other things to look out for as the disorder is known to have four phases.

The Common Symptoms and the Four Phases of Bipolar Disorder:

The four phases are Mania or Manic, Hypomania, Depression and Mixed episodes. These moods are split on each side of normal and balanced moods that most people vary little from. The variances can come in degrees where some people are more prone to episodes of mania over depression or vice versa. However, some can alternate frequently or infrequently between the two sides of normal.

In the mania or manic phase, people have extreme energy and euphoria, and typically talk fast and seem hyperactive in general.

The hypomania stage is less severe than the manic phase. Here, people tend to live their everyday lives in a way that outsiders describe as an overly happy person. Because of this, it is harder to recognize but sometimes the impulsive tendency comes through. At some point, they go into a full blown manic episode.

During the depression phase, people are likely to sleep more, gain weight, contain higher irritability and unpredictable mood swings mostly involving guilt and may lose touch with reality.

When a mix of high energy with a depressed mood is experienced, this is known as the Mixed Emotion Phase. It can also be counted as a combination of anxiety mixed with racing thoughts.

Typical Symptoms of Bipolar in Children:

Irritability, frequent mood swings, hyperactivity and impulsivity, restlessness and fidgeting are included as some of the distinctive symptoms of bipolar in children which are similar to the four phases.

In studies, it was shown that up to 80% of bipolar children may come from families where both parents were either alcoholics or parents that also have bipolar disorder or both.

The symptoms of bipolar in children fit the ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) due to the guidelines set out for diagnosing it. However, it is not recognized until later in life.

To Wrap It Up:

It is vital that the symptoms of bipolar in children be diagnosed as early as possible as episodes may get worse in time.