All parents love to watch their
healthy and active kids play along. We also love to take up all
their tantrums and at times when we start thinking that the
tantrums are getting too many, we believe that the child is
becoming disobedient or trying to gain attention. Sometimes we
ignore the child's tantrums perceiving them to be spoilt brats
and undisciplined.
Well, the fact is that we must watch our child's activities and
mood swings well enough as you might not even realize that your
little one is suffering with some mental disorder. One such
common mental disorder among children is Attention Deficit
Disorder.
Another common disorder among kids is the Bipolar Disorder. Also
known as Manic Depression, in such a condition the child
undergoes random fluctuations in the mood owing to depression &
mania.
The parents and/or caregivers must be cautious that the child
shows 'healthy tantrums & mood swings.' Once these become
unhealthy, you must go ahead for some close examination of the
child & his day-to-day actions.
To check if your child is showing symptoms of bipolar disorder,
read through the following important points about this disorder:
1. Noticeable Changes in Mood and
Energy
Children dealing with the bipolar disorder generally go through
constant & incessant mood interruptions. These mood swings often
last for hours together and at times even days together. The
psychologists explain that usually mood disorders happen most
oft due to a combo of depression & mania.
2. Separation Anxiety
When children suffer with the bipolar disorder, they often
experience "separation anxiety." This means that they feel
immense anxiety in the absence of the individual who takes the
most care of them or one whom they are most attached. They
become too apprehensive and feel separated or left alone.
3. Defiance to Authority
A child suffering with bipolar disorder is often quite
disobedient. Such a child never allows any authority to rule
over him/her, especially their parents and/or the caregiver.
4. Hyperactivity
Watch your child whenever he/she behaves over active. The
children suffering with bipolar disorder are often agitated with
the varied things surrounding them. Such children need to
struggle very hard in order to concentrate on any given activity
like eating, sitting still, doing school work, etc.
5. Sleeping Problems
Children suffering with bipolar disorder either sleep too much
or too less. The other problems that your child might face
regarding the sleep are:
i. While their slumber, the child faces 'night terrors.' Also
known as 'pavor nocturnus,' this refers to the child waking up
abruptly from the sleep.
ii. He/She is not able to recollect what he saw or experienced
in the dream.
iii. Such children also often wet their beds during their sleep.
iv. They urinate spontaneously.
v. Your child many a times feels it very tough to wake up in the
mornings.
vi. For this you should make their waking-up strategy. This way
your child would never get late for school and never miss any of
the appointments.
6. Food Cravings
Children suffering with bipolar disorder usually crave for food
rich in carbohydrates & sugar. This craving is often strange as
most oft it is quite robust and repeated.
7. Ill behavior
Children suffering with bipolar disorder usually behave quite
mischievously. They often do strange things that become quite
inexplicable like jumping out of the moving vehicle, fighting or
quarreling with their caregiver for no apparent reason, bullying
the other kids, etc.
8. Unhealthy Sexual Behavior
While usually children do not have a very open body language
when it comes to sex, the kids suffering with bipolar disorder
have quite unacceptable sexual behavior. Researchers explain
quite well the difference between healthy & unhealthy sexual
behaviors among children. Children at that tender at are rather
playful and love to explore many different things around them.
Children often are never preoccupied with the interactions
concerning sex.
9. Hallucination
Hallucination refers to the unusual sensory perceptions
happening to the child while he is wide awake & also aware of
their surroundings. Children going through bipolar disorder
often have hallucinations. So if your child says that he hears
voices when actually nobody is around, its time to extend
immediate psychiatric help.
10. Grandiosity
Grandiosity refers to an exaggerated assessment to one's values,
authorities, significance, understanding and individuality. The
child suffering with bipolar disorder often believes that he is
magnificent & that he knows it all. With such an attitude it
often becomes very difficult to relate with the child and the
conversation often lands up to major fight.
11. Speedy & Strained Speech
While in anxiety just like elders, even the kids talk very fast
& in a strained manner when they are uneasy emotionally or
mentally. However, if the incidents of such 'speedy & strained
speech' become too often, your child might be experiencing
bipolar disorder. Among kids, talking fast along with anxiety is
quite unusual
Contributed by:
Bipolar Disorder Treatment
