Bipolar Disorder is more commonly known as Manic Depression, a serious mental illness which can be treated. The likely symptoms can be radical changes in behaviour, energy, mood or recurring depressive episodes, thought patterns and mania. For children, the symptoms can occur whilst they are an infant or as a young child, and sometimes it does not come out till a person reaches adolescence when there will be a rapid change, or even until someone becomes an adult. Diagnosis in young children and treatment is available, although many studies have been carried out on this illness, professionals believe that there is still much to learn about Bipolar Disorder - what actually causes it as there are many theories - and there has been no medicine that can be said to be effective enough to cure it. We can only count on various medications, treatments and therapies for patients.

Scientific evidence points to chemical imbalances in the brain to be behind the cause of Bipolar, although it can't be truly determined. There is a disparity to some theories which are viable, state that it is environmental factors, culture and hereditary genes that all play a part in contributing to the illness. Not every sufferer is related to someone who has had Bipolar, although The majority of cases of patients who are diagnosed show it to be genetic. There is data to show a discrepancy in the so-called neurotransmitters of the brains of Bipolar patients, which are chemical messengers for our brain nerve cells.

Some other causes are experiencing events which are nerve racking or have been very upsetting, or throgh the misuse of drugs. Not every person is aware when they are sick especially when it happens the first time, it could just feel like a normal mood swing. When it starts to affect their lives and the people around them, it could be others who notice it. It is good advice to ask someone to see their doctor, who will refer them to a psychiatrist who can give professional advice and a proper diagnosis. They can then help the patient to deal with their illness, to cope and understand.

Bipolar Disorder presents itself as patterns of emotions where a person gets highs and lows which alternate and can very in intensity. Manic symptoms are characterised by talking too fast or too much, chopping and changing subjects rapidly, or refuse to be interrrupted whilst they are talking. There may be increases sexual behaviour, feelings and thoughts, leading to inappropriate behaviour. A child can become an insomniac for days and remain active. Other symptoms are that Self-Esteem can be at an extreme high, feelings of grandeur occur, being easily distracted, with attention swiftly switching here and there. They may also get agitated, with an increase in activity of achieving goals.

There are also depressive symptoms of loss of interest in doing their normal activities, having trouble sleeping or oversleeping, guilt feelings or that they are unworthy, and constant thoughts of death with a tendency towards suicide. Untreated, the disorder could turn more seriously to Psychosis or an Anxiety Disorder, which could need a hospital admission. A person can eventually lose touch on reality, and becomes disorganised. It can be destructive on relationships and manic episodes can cause overspending leading to financial problems, and then feeling abandoned or secluded in the latter stages of depression.

There is effective treatments for teenagers with Bipolar. The patient and family need to be educated about the illness, so as to prevent further episodes and the need for psychotherapy. It is important for family to show their love and support which aid for a quicker recovery. Medications help to control the illness so that there may be no further episodes. There are mood stabilisers like lithium and valporic acid so that manic periods are not as severe, and may even prevent further depression. Psychotherapy is a great aid for patients to work through their problems, feelings, relationships and most of all, their Self-Esteem. They shouldn't feel that they are alone; that there is a good support network for them so there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Bipolar Disorder can present other illnesses or be masked by them like Anxiety Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (A.D.H.D.), Conduct Disorder (C.D.), Depression, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (O.D.D.), Panic Disorders and many others. A person may also be misdiagnosed with Bipolar Disorder rather than another disorder. It is very challenging to give a correct diagnosis, when you have to question a child's behaviour. The treatment given for Bipolar Disorder can also help other disorders.

Analysis Bipolar Disorder in children is very complex, so careful judgement and observation of them is paramount. A Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist will make a careful assessment and diagnose the disorder, then treatment can commence immediately.

Contributed by:  www.Health-Whiz.com/69/index.htm