Bipolar Disorder, formerly known as manic depressive illness, is an affective disorder that is characterized by periods of mania alternating with periods of depression; these are usually interspersed with relatively long intervals of normal mood. It is interesting to note that this disorder has been shown to be one of the commonest disorders but has only recently been given its own classification, having previously been confused with many other disorders.
Prevalence
In the 1998 American census it was discovered that 20% of the adult population, some 44.3 million, had a mental-health issue. In addition to this, 20% of the children had also been diagnosed with a behavioural or emotional issue; this equates to between 7.7 and 12.8 million children (Stillman, 2005). Bipolar Disorder is believed to affect around 2.3 million adults in America and a conservative estimate of a million children. In Sue, Sue & Sue (1997) the prevalence of bipolar disorder is placed at around 1% of the adult population while 8-17% have experienced some form of major depressive episode.
Bipolar disorder seems to be rare in children but there have been documented cases of children as young as four years old displaying the symptoms (Poznanski, Israel, & Grossman, 1984). It is interesting to note here that Taylor & Abrams (1981) suggest that about a third of all bipolar cases begin during adolescence, adding value to the focus of bipolar disorder in childhood. Papolos & Papolos (2006) add that an estimated third of all children who have been diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD) have been misdiagnosed and are actually suffering from a mood disorder. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry suggest that a third of the 3.4 million children who appear to be suffering from depression will progress to the bipolar form of a mood disorder.
While most investigators agree that mood disorders are fundamentally similar in children and in adults (Lewinsohn, Hops, Roberts, Seeley, & Andrews, 1993), Papolos & Papolos suggest that children have a more “chronic course of illness” than their adult counterparts and cycle between mania and depression with relatively few periods or normal mood (2006, p. 6). Barlow & Durand give an apt description of bipolar disorder as “the tendency of manic episodes to alternate with major depressive episodes in an unending roller-coaster ride from the peaks of elation to the depths of despair”, and while...
Table of Contents
1. Bipolar Disorder: Prevalence and history
1.a. Prevalence
1.b. History
2. Criteria
2.a. Mood disorders
2.b. Mania
2.c. Depression
2.d. Mania
2.d.i. warning signs & signals
2.e. Depression
2.e.i. Grandiosity & fixations
3. Co-morbidity & Misdiagnosis
3.a. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
3.b. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
3.c. Conduct Disorder
3.d. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
4. Triggers
4.a. Substance abuse
4.b. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
5. Medicating
5.a. Antidepressants
5.b. Mood stabilizers
5.c. Atypical antipsychotics
6. Sleep disturbance
7. Natural Supplements
8. Diet & exercise
9. Bipolar proofing
10. Therapy & alternatives
11. Family Life
11.a. Parents
11.b. Siblings
12. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This work provides an in-depth examination of Childhood Bipolar Disorder, focusing on its diagnosis, the complexities of co-morbidity, and various treatment approaches. It aims to offer parents and educators a comprehensive overview of how to identify symptoms, manage triggers, and support affected children within both the home and school environment.
- Historical context and clinical prevalence of bipolar disorder in children.
- Differentiation between bipolar disorder and common co-morbid conditions like ADHD.
- Management strategies, including medication, natural supplements, and dietary adjustments.
- Practical “bipolar proofing” techniques for creating stable environments.
- The role of family support, therapy, and communication in long-term wellness.
Excerpt from the Book
Grandiosity & Fixations
The bipolar child experiencing a manic episode is likely to experience patterns of both grandiosity and fixations on pleasurable activities. Grandiosity is probably the easiest evidence for the existence of the manic episode. Grandiosity manifests in an extremely inflated self-esteem with feelings of omnipotence. The child is often perceived to be trying to gain control over others or manipulate others; these others include friends, family members and even parents and teachers.
Teenagers are often demonstrating a sense of grandiosity when they identify closely with their pop idols, but younger children will easily identify closely with a celebrity to the point of actually believing they ‘are’ the favoured star.
It is quite normal to enjoy hobbies, sports or other activities but these feelings of enjoyment are taken to extreme levels when the child begins to fixate on them. The fixating on pleasurable activities can become an obsessive pastime. It is not uncommon to find children completely absorbed in activities, so intensely that they can not be removed from them without severe tantrums occurring. In the case of teenagers, these fixations can be accompanied by a sexual intensity referred to as hypersexuality. This can manifest in inappropriate sexual gestures, touching, exposing of genitalia or excessive masturbation, promiscuity and public indecency.
Summary of Chapters
Bipolar Disorder: Prevalence and history: Explores the clinical definition of the disorder and its historical evolution from early identification to modern classifications.
Criteria: Outlines the clinical diagnostic criteria, differentiating between mood disorders, mania, and depression in pediatric patients.
Co-morbidity & Misdiagnosis: Discusses the overlap between bipolar symptoms and other childhood disorders like ADHD, ODD, and OCD.
Triggers: Examines external factors such as substance abuse and PTSD that can mimic or exacerbate bipolar symptoms.
Medicating: Details pharmacological treatment options, including warnings about antidepressants and the use of mood stabilizers and antipsychotics.
Sleep disturbance: Addresses the necessity of regulating sleep cycles as a fundamental part of managing bipolar symptoms.
Natural Supplements: Reviews alternative, non-pharmaceutical options used to support treatment.
Diet & exercise: Discusses the impact of nutrition and physical activity on mood regulation and neurotransmitter balance.
Bipolar proofing: Provides practical advice for creating structured environments and implementing boundaries to help children cope.
Therapy & alternatives: Focuses on cognitive behavior therapy and other alternative therapeutic practices for comprehensive treatment.
Family Life: Examines the impact of the disorder on parents and siblings and the importance of maintaining a supportive family dynamic.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the core findings, emphasizing the complexity of the disorder and the need for a collaborative treatment approach.
Keywords
Bipolar Disorder, Childhood, Mania, Depression, Mood Stabilizers, ADHD, Co-morbidity, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Mental Health, Grandiosity, Parenting, Diagnosis, Neurotransmitters, Family Therapy, Psychosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The work focuses on the nature of Childhood Bipolar Disorder, providing a guide for parents and caregivers to understand symptoms, diagnostic challenges, and holistic management strategies.
What are the central thematic areas?
The main themes include identifying symptoms, navigating common misdiagnoses, exploring pharmacological and natural treatments, and creating a structured support system within the family.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The objective is to equip those caring for children with bipolar disorder with the knowledge to recognize early warning signs and implement effective management routines.
Which scientific methodology does the author utilize?
The work is a comprehensive review based on existing clinical literature, studies, and diagnostic manuals like the DSM-IV, synthesizing expert consensus on pediatric bipolar management.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers history, diagnostic criteria, co-occurring disorders, medication types and side effects, sleep, diet, exercise, and psychological therapy techniques.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Bipolar Disorder, Childhood, Mood Stabilizers, ADHD, Diagnosis, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Family Support.
Why is the diagnosis of Childhood Bipolar Disorder often considered difficult?
It is difficult due to the significant overlap of symptoms with other common childhood conditions like ADHD, leading to frequent misdiagnosis.
How should parents manage the social environment of a child with this disorder?
The text suggests “bipolar proofing,” which involves setting firm boundaries, reducing environmental stimuli, maintaining a consistent daily schedule, and creating a safe space for the child.
What role does cognitive behavior therapy play in treatment?
It serves as the preferred therapeutic method to help children adjust intrusive thought patterns and develop better behavioral responses to triggers.
Why does the author advocate for family therapy?
Family therapy is encouraged because the disorder places significant strain on marriages and siblings; involving the whole family helps manage stress and reduces potential feelings of neglect.
- Quote paper
- Gary Elliott (Author), 2010, Childhood Bipolar Disorder, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/275090
