Bipolar Disorder Symptoms in Adults & Children

Recognizing the symptoms of bipolar disorder in both adults and children can allow the person suffering from this malady to get the help he or she needs. Bipolar disorder is treatable and the sooner it is recognized, the sooner help can begin and a normal life can resume.

Defining Bipolar Disorder

• Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is when a person experiences severe and extensive mood swings. A person diagnosed with bipolar disorder can go from feeling depressed and overwhelmed with despair, even suicidal thoughts, to feelings of elation and unrealistic illusions of grandeur. These mood swings can be triggered without warning and are often extreme and very disruptive to a person's life.

Symptoms in children

• Bipolar disorder symptoms in children can often be mistaken for other disorders such as attention-deficit disorder (ADD) or attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD.) Children diagnosed with ADD or ADHD may actually be displaying symptoms of early onset bipolar disorder. These symptoms include but are not limited to frequent and severe mood swings, periods of hyperactivity, decreased need for sleep or sleeping too much, and depression. Typically, children displaying signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder are much more irritable, sometimes exhibiting up to four to five mood swings per day.

Symptoms in adults

• Bipolar disorder symptoms in adults are similar to those in children. They include the cycles of mood swings including debilitating depression where the person withdraws from family and friends, becomes extremely moody and irritable and may have suicidal thoughts and tendencies. The symptoms of the manic phase of this disorder include feelings of ecstasy and exuberance, where the person may experience illusions of unrealistic expectations. Periods of hypersexuality can also occur during a manic state and can start suddenly and without warning. An adult's life can be severely disrupted by manic episodes. During this phase of the disorder, many adults have been known to engage in reckless activities, impulsively quit their jobs or leave their families.

Types

• Essentially, there are three types of bipolar disorder. With each type, the symptoms may increase on a gradual scale, ranging from mild symptoms to full-blown severe manic depression. The three types of bipolar disorder are as follows:
  • Cyclothymia (hypomania and mild depression) This is the mildest form of bipolar disorder. Mood swings remain cyclical, but the symptoms are less severe. People diagnosed with cyclothymia are at great risk for developing a condition of full-blown bipolar disorder.
  • Bipolar I Disorder (mania or mixed episode) This type of the disorder is classified by at least one manic or mixed episode. It can also include at least one episode of depression.
  • Bipolar II Disorder (hypomania and depression) With Bipolar II, the person primarily experiences cyclical mood swings of hypomania and severe depression.

Treatment

• Bipolar disorder is treatable, but every individual is different and this must be taken into consideration. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition and can never be truly cured, but it can be managed with effective treatment. Treatment may include a combination of medication, cognitive therapy, diet and exercise, since medication alone will not be effective enough to control the condition. To effectively treat bipolar disorder, a person must be certain that he has been given an accurate diagnosis. As stated previously, children may display symptoms of bipolar disorder, when actually these may be signs of another type of ailment. The same is true for adults. A person who suffers from bipolar disorder, or who has a family member or child who suffers from it, must educate herself regarding the condition. The more information you have about the disorder, the better you will be able to help your doctor understand the best course of treatment.