Bipolar Symptoms

Bipolar children can be difficult to diagnose, and is usually more prevalent in teens and adults. However bipolar children have been diagnosed as early as 6 years of age, and symptoms have been seen as early as infancy.

Infants exhibiting constant restless behavior and sleep disorders, or throwing seizure like tantrums in anger were later diagnosed as being affected with bipolar disorder. Bipolar children will often show extreme cycling between moods, rapidly moving from extreme energy or mania and irritability, to lethargic like lows. They also experience neutral periods of “normalcy” in between cycles.

Most bipolar children are suffering because someone in their family has suffered. Things like bipolar disorder and depression have been shown to travel down the chain in families. One thing to keep in mind is that while adults usually have clearly defined cycles of mania and depression, bipolar children are typically all over the map, and can experience extreme highs and lows several times a day, often leading to a misdiagnoses of their symptoms.

Some things to look for in bipolar children are things like hyperactivity, destructive anger, rebelliousness, clingyness, and even bed wetting can be a symptom of bipolar disorder in children. Also irregular food habits are common, and irregular hunger pains, as well as mood changes, lack of interest in outdoor playtime, and hallucinations or delusions.

There are other symptoms that you can look for as well, but I just wanted to cover the basics. Bipolar children can also become ill due to environmental factors such as physical abuse, or broken families. If you fear your child is suffer from bipolar disorder, the earlier you can get him or her diagnosed, the better their chances of leading full and healthy lives. Bipolar children don’t have to suffer and feel sad or out of control all of their lives. It starts with you as their parent, seeking treatment and staying on top of it!

Bipolar disorder can control your life if not properly managed, and given bipolar medications.  However it is often difficult to diagnose, and many times difficult to find the right balancing act in treating it effectively.  There is a fine line bipolar disorder victims walk, and the trick lies in finding the perfect dosages and the perfect types of medications for your particular case.

There are several kinds bipolar medications prescribed for patients, and here we will cover the most common ones.  Mood stabilizers such as lithium, are used to treat both the highs and lows of bipolar disorder, and are often taken consistently, even during normal periods, in an effort to prevent extreme episodes from occuring.

Anticonvulsants such as Valproate and Carbamazepine are given to control periods of mania.  Again, they are often used in the prevention of episodes from occurring as well.

Bipolar medications like anti depressants such as Prozac or Wellbutrin are used to combat the severe lows of bipolar disorder, when the victim sinks into deep depression.

Antispsychotics are also used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.  Drugs like Abilify and Clozaril  are used during periods of extreme mania, a victim can deteriorate into delusional behavior, or hallucinate.  This helps to curb those symptoms.

Antianxiety medication like Xanax  is sort of a short term quick solution in regards to bipolar medications.  It can help relieve stress in a person experiencing a manic episode, and can reduce symptoms of insomnia as well.

These are all the more common drugs that are prescribed for bipolar treatment, however there are several more available than just these.  Which type of bipolar medication you are prescribed depends entirely on your doctor, and the type of symptoms you are experiencing.  The basis of these meds are to help victims find a balance in their moods and prevent future episodes of severe mania or severe depression.

Once you have found the right balance, it is possible to live a full life mostly symptom free.  It is also important to remember that some of these bipolar medications can take several weeks to really create a noticible effect.  If you feel a particular medication isn’t working for you, or is causing adverse symptoms that you can’t live with, please inform your doctor so they can make a change for you.  Bipolar disorder can be managed when armed with the proper tools!