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Information on Bipolar in Children

Bipolar disorder is a psychological illness that causes people to have frequent mood swings, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Although bipolar disorder often occurs in people between 15 and 30 years old, it can affect children as young as 6, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

  1. Causes

    • Bipolar disorder in children is believed to be caused by genetics, environments and levels of chemicals in their brain called neurotransmitters, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Risk Factors

    • Children who have a family history of bipolar disorder, suffer from an anxiety disorder, have lost a family member, have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or have an irregularly structured or functioning brain have an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic and NIMH.

    Symptoms

    • During episodes, children may feel depressed, experience physical pain, feel worthless or hopeless, have trouble sleeping, have trouble concentrating, become irritable or have no interest in activities that they once enjoyed. They also may experience euphoria, have an elevated self-esteem, become aggressive, have problems sleeping, talk frequently or take risks.

    Diagnosis

    • A physician often will diagnose bipolar disorder based on a child's behavior, moods or energy levels, according to NIMH.

    Treatment

    • According to NAMI, children with bipolar disorder often are treated with medications: mood stabilizers, such as lithium; anti-seizure drugs, such as Depakote; or atypical antipsychotic drugs, such as risperidone, ziprasidone or olanzapine.

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