Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents is a psychiatric disorder that occurs during periods of mania and depression, and is usually diagnosed in adulthood. However, it is determined that symptoms in patients begin during adolescence in approximately 50 to 60 percent of cases. The causes of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents may not be noticed due to the changes observed during this age period. It is necessary to get help from a good specialist for the treatment of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents.
Bipolar disorder in children can lead to situations that are dangerous for the individual and his environment, and therefore hospitalization may be required during these periods.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents
Bipolar disorder is also commonly known as "manic-depressive illness". It is a chronic illness that can have clinical features such as a tendency toward pleasurable activities that can be dangerous. Significant impairments in a person's mood can be observed in this illness. Almost similar symptoms are seen in bipolar disorder in children and adolescents as well.
This illness, known as manic-depressive, has different phases within itself. In the phase defined as manic; symptoms such as hyperactivity, flight of ideas, very rapid flight of thoughts, an exaggerated increase in self-esteem, being more talkative than usual or compelled to talk, and sleeping less can be observed.
The changes experienced by a person who is in a manic phase can be easily noticed by his environment, because this condition is quite different from the ups and downs experienced in daily life. In the process defined as a depressive state in bipolar disorder in children, it is a sudden and intensely developing state of sadness and unhappiness that develops independently of any life event.
He has difficulty focusing on his lessons, cannot sustain his attention, and cannot feel rested no matter how long he sleeps. In some cases, both manic and depressive episodes can be seen together. This condition can be expressed as a mixed episode.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents can be listed as follows:
- Rage outbursts
- Flight of ideas
- Decreased need for sleep
- Increase in grandiosity
- Increased amount of speech or pressured speech
- Increase in goal-directed activities
Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents
It is very important to make a diagnosis after a careful and thorough clinical examination in the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents. The condition that most frequently causes the illness to be diagnosed is manic episodes. Depressive episodes are seen along with manic episodes and hypomanic episodes.
A person experiencing a manic episode talks much more and faster than normal. His thought flow is very fast but disconnected, he sleeps little but feels very energetic, he feels very cheerful and powerful even when there is no reason to explain it, he thinks he can handle everything, he can make big decisions without thinking about the consequences, and sometimes he suddenly gets angry and shows aggressive behavior.
During a manic episode, the change in a person's behavior is so pronounced that hospitalization is often required. Sometimes these symptoms are at a milder level, and this condition is called a "hypomanic episode".
In addition to manic and hypomanic episodes, depressive episodes are also seen in bipolar disorder. In depressive episodes, the person is unhappy and joyless for no significant reason, has low energy, has difficulty concentrating, if he is a student, a decline in academic success is observed, his sleep quality is impaired, and no matter how much he sleeps, he does not feel rested.
The illness occurs in episodes; sometimes manic, sometimes depressive, and sometimes mixed episodes where the symptoms of both episodes are seen together are observed. During periods outside of episodes, the person may return to his previous level of functioning.
How is Bipolar Disorder Treated in Children and Adolescents?
Medication and psychotherapy methods are generally applied together in the treatment of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents. In difficult cases, more than one medication may be recommended by the specialist. Regular use of the prescribed medication constitutes the first step of treatment.
Antidepressant medications can cause the triggering of manic-depressive illness. Therefore, antidepressant medications must be used carefully and cautiously in children diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
With psychotherapy, which must be carried out in conjunction with medication, the child or adolescent can continue his daily life. It is also recommended to make healthier progress through psychoeducation directed at the family and teachers at regular intervals.
In order for the treatment to yield effective results, motivational functions regarding the continuation of the treatment can be utilized, and psychotherapies can be applied to develop coping skills.
