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Symptoms of Bipolar and Bipolar in Children have varying degrees of seriousness. Because of this, it is sometimes hard to detect symptoms of bipolar and bipolar in children as they can be confused with other issues such as hyperactivity, attention deficit or allergies in children, and can be misconstrued as other things in adults if they use alcohol or drugs, especially.

Manic Depression is what we now know as Bipolar Disorder. While it can be hereditary and environmental, according to studies it is suggested that the primary cause of this is due to a shortage of Serotonin, a natural occurring chemical that balances and controls mood. Extreme mood swings are the main symptom due to the shortage of Serotonin but there are also other things to look out for as there are four phases to the disorder.

The Four Phases Along With the Typical Symptoms 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.

People usually talk fast and seem generally hyperactive when in the mania or manic phase because it causes them to have extreme energy and euphoria.

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.

Common 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.

Symptoms of bipolar n children often fit into the guidelines set out for diagnosing ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and therefore is not recognized until later in life.

To Wrap It Up:

The fact that episodes of bipolar in children will get worse in time means that it is very crucial to diagnose bipolar symptoms to be made as early as possible.