Children and Bipolar Disorder
In many cases a doctor will perform a series of tests in order to diagnose bipolar in general, and spercifically bipolar in children. Tests include family background checks, as bipolar disorder is often caused by childhood environment.
Medical history will be taken, and the doctor may ask you about any drugs you have recently taken, including the illegal ones.
References are utilized in diagnosing bipolar disorder, a doctor many times will find himself question your behavior with family members or friends.
Observational tests require you to participate in a series of tests that that will observe moodswings and patterns, and in some cases, the way you dress, or your body type.
Mental health assesments depending on how much concern is warranted. Another important thing to keep in mind is origins and cycles. Keep a journal of when and where your manic episodes started.
Another thing to keep in mind, is that with children, abrupt and quick mood swings are the norm and can change in fact, several times a day. There are some cases where children have exhibited both the highs and lows of bipolar disorder at the same time.
Bipolar in children can manifest itself in violent temper tantrums, touching themselves in inappropriate places, frequent headaches, stomach ache, and a myriad of other symptoms. However, treatment as soon as possible is very important, as bipolar in children can be treated quite effectively when combined with therapy. Over all, bipolar in children is tough to deal with, but rest assured, there is hope.
Tags: bipolar, childhood environment, manic episodes, mood swings, temper tantrums, violent temper
