Does your child sometimes seem unusually happy and mischievous for no reason, and then suddenly get angry, yell, and cry over the smallest things? And then suddenly become very sad and brooding? As a parent, seeing these changes in behavior can be both a big problem and a source of fear for you. You may be wondering, "What's wrong with this child?" Today we're going to talk about a mental illness that can cause this kind of situation. That's called Bipolar Disorder.
Simply put, what is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar Disorder is a lifelong mental illness. It was previously called manic-depressive illness. It is characterized by sudden and severe changes in a person's mood, energy levels, thoughts, and behavior. These changes can last for hours, days, weeks, or even months. This can make it difficult to perform daily tasks.
Most often, this disease is diagnosed in adolescence or adulthood, but sometimes symptoms can begin to appear in childhood.
There are two main types of bipolar disorder.
1. Mania: This is when a person's mood, emotions, and energy levels are unusually high. Like being "overjoyed." Sometimes, a less severe state called hypomania can also occur.
2. Depressive phase: The opposite happens in this phase. You feel extremely sad and depressed. You lose interest in things you used to enjoy. To be precise, it shows the symptoms of a state of depression.
But we also need to remember this. The person with this disease is not always in one of these two states. In between those periods, that is, without any problems, there are also periods when they are normal. We call that `euthymia`. That is, their usual, normal state.
How is bipolar disorder different in children than in adults?
This is a very important point. When an adult has Bipolar Disorder, the periods of `mania` and `depression` can be clearly distinguished and identified. These periods last for a week or more.
But with children and young children, these stages are not so clear. And the transition from one stage to another is very rapid. For example, imagine that your child is overjoyed and joking for no reason in the morning. During the day, he gets angry at the smallest things, yelling and throwing things. In the evening, he stays in his room and cries for no reason. All of this can happen in the same day.
Usually, all children show behavioral changes with age. But Bipolar Disorder is not that common. Here, the changes are very intense, and often happen for no reason. Along with this, you may also see the following:
- Changes in sleep patterns.
- Big changes in the body's energy levels.
- Difficulty concentrating and thinking clearly.
These symptoms can make it difficult for a child to do well in school, get along well with friends, and have trouble interacting with family. The most dangerous thing is that some children may even try to harm themselves or commit suicide.
How common is this condition among children?
Research shows that about 4% of people under the age of 18 have bipolar disorder. Sometimes, children as young as 5 years old can be affected by this condition.
Compared to other mental illnesses:
- 9.8% of children have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- 9.4% of children have anxiety disorders.
- 4.4% of children have depression.
That means this is also a condition that is seen to a significant extent among children.
What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder in a child?
These symptoms can be divided into two main parts. These are the symptoms of a `manic` episode and the symptoms of a `depressive` episode. Some children show symptoms of both episodes at the same time (mixed episodes). Others switch between the two episodes very quickly (rapid cycling). Sometimes even within the same day.
The important thing is that these characteristics are different from the child's normal behavior.
Symptoms of a manic episode
Rather than being happy and vibrant like adults, children tend to get angry and display destructive behavior at this time.
| Characteristic type | Description |
|---|---|
| Emotions and mood | Being overly happy and hopeful for no reason. Making jokes that are inappropriate for your age. Getting angry and yelling at even the smallest things. |
| Energy level and sleep | Being incredibly energetic, very active. Going days without proper sleep, feeling tired. |
| Story and thoughts | Talking too fast, not letting others talk. Jumping from one idea to another. Difficulty staying focused. |
| Behavior | Disobeying rules, destroying things, and doing reckless, dangerous things (e.g., having unprotected sex, drinking alcohol). |
| Self-confidence | Believing that one has extraordinary, great power or abilities (e.g., thinking that one knows everything better than adults and that one is in control of everything). |
Symptoms of a depressive episode
At this point, the child is very sad and has low energy levels.
| Characteristic type | Description |
|---|---|
| Emotions and mood | Being sad all the time for no reason, crying all the time. Losing interest in things you used to enjoy. Getting hurt over even the smallest things. |
| Energy level and sleep | Feeling sluggish, having trouble sleeping, waking up early in the morning, or sleeping too much. |
| Social connections | Wanting to be alone, away from friends and classmates. |
| Schoolwork and thoughts | Missing schoolwork. Difficulty concentrating and remembering things. Saying negative things about yourself. |
| Physical characteristics | Loss of appetite or overeating. Constantly complaining about headaches, stomach aches, and body aches. |
| Dangerous thoughts | Talking or thinking about death or suicide. |
Very important: If your child shows signs of suicidal thoughts or talk, see a doctor immediately. If you think your child is in danger at that moment, take them to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
What causes Bipolar Disorder?
Scientists have yet to find a definitive cause for this, but they believe that several key factors play a role.
- Genetics: This is the main cause. Simply put, it is hereditary . More than two-thirds of people with bipolar disorder have a close family member (mother, father, sibling) who has the condition. However, not everyone develops it just because someone in the family has it.
- Brain changes: Some research shows that children with this disease have changes in the functioning of certain parts of the brain.
- Trauma and stress: Experiencing severe, stressful events, such as the death of a family member or severe abuse, can also trigger the development of this disease in someone who is genetically at risk.
How do you know for sure if a child has Bipolar Disorder?
This is a bit of a complicated process, as the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder can be similar to those of many other illnesses that are common in children, such as ADHD (attention deficit disorder), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (impulsive behavior), and Major Depression.
Therefore, the help of an experienced mental health counselor (psychiatrist or psychologist) is essential to identify this.
The doctor does things like this:
- Physical examination: Check for other illnesses.
- A complete medical history: You and your child will be asked about your child's symptoms and family medical history.
- Medical tests: Things like blood tests are done to check for other physical illnesses that could be causing these symptoms.
- A mental health evaluation: This may involve a referral to a specialist psychiatrist. The child, parents, and even teachers may be asked to fill out questionnaires about the child's behavior.
How is it treated?
Because bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, treatment is also lifelong . It can take months or even years to find the right treatment plan for your child. But it's important to stay focused and continue with treatment.
A successful treatment plan includes a combination of these things:
- Medications
- Psychotherapy (or "talk therapy")
- Healthy lifestyle habits (exercise, meditation, a consistent routine)
Psychotherapy
This is a very important part of the treatment plan. It helps the child identify and control their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.
- Psychoeducation: Clearly explaining the disease to the child and family.
- Family-focused therapy (FFT): A treatment method in which the child and family participate together. It helps identify symptoms, solve problems, and improve communication.
- Chronotherapy: Helps the child develop a consistent, regular sleep pattern. They practice going to bed and waking up at the same time.
Medications
Mood stabilizers and antipsychotic drugs used in adults are also used successfully in children.
- Mood stabilizers: Medications like `Lithium`, `Valproic acid`, and `Lamotrigine` help control `manic` episodes.
- Antipsychotics: These help with both `manic` and `depressive` episodes.
Important: If your child has other conditions, such as ADHD, some medications can worsen symptoms of bipolar disorder. So, be open with your doctor about any medications your child is taking.
Are there any side effects of the medication?
Yes, like all medications, this can have side effects. The most common ones are:
- Weight gain
- Drowsiness
- Restlessness, inability to sit still `(Akathisia)`
- Changes in blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Special attention regarding the drug Lithium:
Lithium is a medication commonly used to treat bipolar disorder. Anything that lowers a child's sodium (salt) levels - excessive sweating, fever, vomiting, diarrhea - can cause lithium toxicity. This is an emergency.
| Warning Signs of Lithium Toxicity - Go to the ETU Immediately! | |
|---|---|
| Vision problems | Blurred vision, double vision |
| Heartbeat | Irregular, very fast, or very slow heartbeat |
| Other features | Difficulty breathing, confusion, dizziness, severe shaking or convulsions, excessive urination |
Never stop your child's medication without consulting your doctor. Stopping it suddenly can cause serious side effects and worsen the condition.
How can I, as a parent, help my child?
Caring for a child with bipolar disorder can be a very stressful experience. It's important to take care of yourself too. You can also seek counseling or join a support group for parents who have experienced the same thing.
- Support your child: Encourage your child to talk about their feelings. Be a good listener.
- Be patient: Finding the right treatment takes time. Be patient with the journey.
- Pay attention to your child's mood: Keep a journal of your child's changes in behavior. Share this information with teachers and relatives.
- Maintain a consistent routine at home: especially consistent bedtimes and wake-up times.
- Help manage stress: Teach your child simple things like deep breathing.
- Explain the importance of treatment: Explain how treatment can improve life, encourage your child to take their medication on time, and participate in therapy.
Take-Home Message
- Bipolar Disorder is not a child's bad behavior or stubbornness. It is a real medical condition that needs to be treated.
- Specialist medical assistance is essential for diagnosing and treating the disease.
- Treatment is a long journey, and as a parent, your patience and support are essential for your child.
- If your child talks about death or self-harm, never ignore it. Seek medical advice immediately.
- You are not alone. There are doctors, counselors, and support groups that can help you and your child.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න