Bipolar disorder in children has been seen as early as age 6. Of course, with children, you have to observe them long enough to know what their normal child behavior patterns are opposed to their bipolar behavior. Also, you have to take into account other problems that children develop that can overlap with bipolar disorder in children. But the same basic criteria that an adult’s diagnosis is based are used to diagnose children. It has to be modified a bit though because of the age.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms for Children

Children with bipolar disorder are often misdiagnosed as having attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). This is because ADHD and bipolar disorder share similar symptoms like hyperactive, irritable and being easily distracted. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that the child has bipolar mania due to these symptoms. Signs that are specific to bipolar disorder and not ADHD are sleeping too much, unusual sexual activities, jubilant and euphoric moods, flights of ideas and grandiose behaviors.

Children who have grandiose behaviors often think that they are so smart and tell authority figures and others what they should do. They also think that rules and regulations do not apply to them. Some even go as far as thinking that they are superhuman. Getting only 4 to 6 hours of sleep nightly is also common in bipolar disorder children. They could do activities like playing games all night and moving furniture and the following day they would not show any signs of tiredness.

Unusual sexual activity can come out in bipolar children and Adolescent bipolar children with mania. They can be very flirtatious even over what they should be for their age. They may use very explicit sexual type language and try to touch others in private areas including adults.

Moods that are associated with bipolar mania are having euphoric moods almost hysterical to being very happy. You as an outsider would probably think that they are about to go to an exciting event or place. Teachers and parents usually are the first to notice these mood changes. When talking; children change topics rapidly because they have so many ideas running around their head even though it is not triggered by anything.

Having many cycles of these behaviors during a day’s time are also other symptoms of bipolar children. This can often lead to suicide when they go from elated high moods all the way down to heavy depressed moods.

Bipolar Children Disorder Treatments

Children and teenagers also use similar medications to the ones often prescribed for adults. Mood stabilizing agents have been thought to be useful in the treatment of bipolar disorder children. These include valproate, lithium and Tegretol (carbamazepine). The long term use of medication in children though has been an area of concern. Therefore, more studies are being done on this.

Before medicating your child, ensure that the proper diagnosis has been given to him or her as it is difficult to distinguish the difference between ADHD and bipolar disorder as the symptoms can sometimes overlap. You must also ensure that your child is being treated by a doctor who has a background in bipolar disorder especially bipolar disorder in children.