Early Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder in Children is a Boon

Bipolar disorder can occur in children even at thelot of weight due to some drugs and weight gain could
young age of six. Although the percentage of childrenalways lead to further glucose problems like diabetes
having the disorder is much lower than adults,or heart problems.
adolescents tend to be more prone to it. SomeSome medication in children may cause infertility and
mania-specified symptoms can be seen in childreneven abnormalities. The medications are effective to
who show that they are suffering from bipolarprevent future episodes of mania and depression
disorder.which would have led to suicide. But they can affect
Children often have elated moods, grandiosethe thyroid and even the kidneys.
behaviors, flight of ideas, decreased need for sleepHence it is important to monitor the development of
and hyper sexuality. These symptoms occur mainly inserious side effects in children. The side effects and
mania and are common in bipolar disorders. Childrenthe dangers of the manic-depressive illness itself have
sometimes laugh hysterically and behave as if theyto be weighed against each other, and the medication
are infectiously happy with much reason. Thesecan be changed if any drastic changes are seen.
symptoms could occur at home, in the school orUnfortunately children take much longer to recover
anywhere.from bipolar disorder than adults. Children sometimes
Grandiose behaviors of children can be explainedsuffer from this illness for months or years. Often it
when they believe that they are very smart and nocan have an impact on their educational achievement,
rules pertain to them. They are convinced that theyand hence the teachers should be made aware of the
can perform superhuman acts without anythingdiagnosis, so that they can give special treatment to
happening to them. Children have flight of ideas whensuch children in school.
they move from one subject to another in quickSuicide is a big risk with children, especially adolescents.
succession. Sometimes it has no relevance to theirAll talk about not wanting to live or feeling neglected
surroundings.should be taken seriously. In a moment of depression a
Some children can sleep for just four to eight hourschild can hang himself in the shower, shoot himself or
and still not be tired the next day. Playing on thecomplete suicide by some other means.
computer or just rearranging furniture could be theirAn early diagnosis and treatment can offer the best
activities when they stay up late. Hyper sexualitychance for children with bipolar disorder to achieve
occurs often in adolescents who use explicit sexualstability in life and gain the best possible level of
language or act flirtatious beyond their years.wellness. Only then can they grow up and enjoy life
There are several drugs which are prescribed byand build up their strengths. Proper treatment can
doctors for the treatment of bipolar disorder in children.definitely reduce the effects of the illness on the
But there are many side effects which are particularlypatients and the people who surround them.
evident and troublesome for children. Children put on a