Bipolar disorder is the manic phase of psychosis that can strike everyone, even children although this is rare, at some point in his or her lives for various reasons. Depression, formally called major depression, major depressive disorder or clinical depression incorporate the mind, but also integrates the entire body. As the mind breaks down so does the body which leaves an individual.s immune system susceptible to disease. Some of the signs of bipolar disorders include
Loss of interest and or hopelessness
Fake ideas of what is currently happening
Crying spells, lack of sleep, lack of concentration, and irritability
Restlessness, fatigued or weak, feeling of worthlessness
Thoughts of suicide, suicidal behavior, and physical ailments
Loss of a sense of reality
Medical communities around the country are walking a very fine line when diagnosing bipolar with children because many of the outward symptoms are deceiving because of their close relationship to attention deficit disorder, or ADHD. However the grandiose behaviors, flight of ideas, elated moods, decreased need for sleep, and hyper-sexuality are signals that something is not right.
However, when the medical physician is dealing with children there are precautions in place to avoid any unwanted side effects that the specialized medication designed for children may complicate.
However to determine the exact cause that triggers signs of bipolar disorder reaction with many children is scientifically unexplainable, yet it does exist. It is possible that perhaps the imbalance or reaction to biochemical, genetic and environmental factors contribute.
Side effects that are particularly troublesome for the medical community is the atypical neuroleptics, with the one exception of aripiprazloe which are associated with marked and rapid weight gain in children. Unfortunately there still are no medications specifically designed for use by children, leaving them vulnerable to adult medications at a reduced dosage dictated by the logic and skills of the medical physician. Presently there are three main types of medication drugs for use by children inflicted with bipolar disorder.
Lithium medication
Anticonvulsants such as Depakote or other valproate produces
atypical neuroleptics such as risperidone, ziprasidone, and aripiprazole
Biochemical is a reaction to change in brain function that is a natural occurrence. The study incorporating the genes leans towards a biological or genetic disorder that follows family lines. Then there is the environmental factor that plays a fairly large role in depression through the death of a family member, loss of employment, and at times personal financial situations
Children suffering from a form of depression will emotionally feel down in the dumps and develop a more pessimistic attitude for longer periods of time. Children suffering from bipolar disorder have extreme mood swings from exuberantly happy to being so down all they will do is stay to themselves. The spectrum is exactly what this mood swing represents.
Children diagnosed with bipolar disorders will also sleep most of the day away, and spend hours in tears usually for no specific reason. Depression in any form is unhealthy for the individual and is the reason for specific medication, or a drastic change in diet. A well in tune medical physician or psychiatrist can write out a prescription for the depression drugs that will help the individual balance and maintain a more mainstream attitude.
Other conditions where childhood bipolar disorders are present now include postpartum psychosis, dementia, depressive episodes, Parkinson.s disease, and multiple sclerosis. This unfortunately is a very widespread disease and affects many individuals today. Some of the various forms of bipolar psychosis include the following.
Hallucinations associated with schizophrenia
Delusions affecting the facts of reality
Paranoia which is present in many other depressive disorders
Catatonia which is a symptom of schizophrenia, unresponsive