Children or teens with bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive disorder, have moods with extreme ups and downs. Sometimes they have bouts of mania and may have lots of energy or feel irritated. At other times their mood swings to depression, and they feel sad. Experts used to think only adults developed bipolar disorder. They now believe even a young child can develop bipolar disorder, although with different symptoms than adults.
We don't fully understand what causes bipolar disorder. It seems to be linked to an imbalance in brain chemicals or problems with the endocrine system, which controls hormones. Some research shows there may be a problem with the structure or size of certain parts of the brain, which might also interfere with mood regulation.
Bipolar disorder seems to run in families. Your child is at greater risk of developing bipolar disorder if a close family member such as a parent, grandparent, or sibling has the condition.
It is common for parents to wonder whether they did something to cause bipolar disorder in their child. While stress, certain medications, and some conditions can trigger an episode of mania or depression in a child with bipolar disorder, there is nothing a parent can do to cause—or prevent—the development of the condition.
The phrase "obsessive-compulsive" has worked its way into the wider English lexicon, and is often used in an offhand manner to describe someone who is meticulous or absorbed in a cause (see also "anal-retentive"). Such casual references should not be confused with obsessive-compulsive disorder; see clinomorphism. It is also important to distinguish OCD from other types of anxiety, including the routine tension and stress that appear throughout life. A person who shows signs of infatuation or fixation with a subject/object, or displays traits such as perfectionism, does not necessarily have OCD, a specific and well-defined condition.
To be diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, one must have either obsessions or compulsions alone, or obsessions and compulsions, according to the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria. The Quick Reference to the diagnostic criteria from DSM-IV-TR (2000) describes these obsessions and compulsions:
Obsessions are defined by:
Compulsions are defined by:
In addition to these criteria, at some point during the course of the disorder, the sufferer must realize that his/her obsessions or compulsions are unreasonable or excessive. Moreover, the obsessions or compulsions must be time-consuming (taking up more than one hour per day), cause distress, or cause impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning (Quick Reference from DSM-IV-TR, 2000). OCD often causes feelings similar to that of depression.
The phrase "obsessive-compulsive" has worked its way into the wider English lexicon, and is often used in an offhand manner to describe someone who is meticulous or absorbed in a cause (see also "anal-retentive"). Such casual references should not be confused with obsessive-compulsive disorder; see clinomorphism. It is also important to distinguish OCD from other types of anxiety, including the routine tension and stress that appear throughout life. A person who shows signs of infatuation or fixation with a subject/object, or displays traits such as perfectionism, does not necessarily have OCD, a specific and well-defined condition.
To be diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, one must have either obsessions or compulsions alone, or obsessions and compulsions, according to the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria. The Quick Reference to the diagnostic criteria from DSM-IV-TR (2000) describes these obsessions and compulsions:
Obsessions are defined by:
Compulsions are defined by:
In addition to these criteria, at some point during the course of the disorder, the sufferer must realize that his/her obsessions or compulsions are unreasonable or excessive. Moreover, the obsessions or compulsions must be time-consuming (taking up more than one hour per day), cause distress, or cause impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning (Quick Reference from DSM-IV-TR, 2000). OCD often causes feelings similar to that of depression.
The phrase "obsessive-compulsive" has worked its way into the wider English lexicon, and is often used in an offhand manner to describe someone who is meticulous or absorbed in a cause (see also "anal-retentive"). Such casual references should not be confused with obsessive-compulsive disorder; see clinomorphism. It is also important to distinguish OCD from other types of anxiety, including the routine tension and stress that appear throughout life. A person who shows signs of infatuation or fixation with a subject/object, or displays traits such as perfectionism, does not necessarily have OCD, a specific and well-defined condition.
To be diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, one must have either obsessions or compulsions alone, or obsessions and compulsions, according to the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria. The Quick Reference to the diagnostic criteria from DSM-IV-TR (2000) describes these obsessions and compulsions:
Obsessions are defined by:
Compulsions are defined by:
In addition to these criteria, at some point during the course of the disorder, the sufferer must realize that his/her obsessions or compulsions are unreasonable or excessive. Moreover, the obsessions or compulsions must be time-consuming (taking up more than one hour per day), cause distress, or cause impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning (Quick Reference from DSM-IV-TR, 2000). OCD often causes feelings similar to that of depression.
Children with bipolar disorder have intense moods that quickly change from one extreme to another without a clear cause. These moods alternate between having high energy or irritability (mania) and having low energy or feeling sad (depression). Some children may briefly return to a normal mood between extremes. Many children cycle continuously between mania and depression, sometimes several times in the same day. Sometimes children with bipolar disorder have symptoms of both mania and depression at the same time.
Episodes of mania or depression may be less clearly defined than those in adults. Children may be irritable and throw violent temper tantrums, be obsessed with sexuality, or have an extremely high level of energy. At other times they may say they feel empty, sad, bored, or "down." They may complain of headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches, or fatigue. Children with bipolar disorder frequently miss school or talk about running away from home and often become isolated and overly sensitive to rejection or criticism.
Like adults with the condition, older children and teens with bipolar disorder may be extremely motivated or intense during the manic phase and depressed during the opposite cycle. Teens and older children who are not being treated for their bipolar disorder are more likely to have difficulty in school or at work, may use alcohol or drugs, may have trouble making and keeping friends, and are more likely to engage in risky behaviors.
Untreated bipolar disorder can lead to suicide. The warning signs of suicide change with age. Warning signs of suicide in children and teens may include preoccupation with death or suicide or a recent breakup of a relationship.
Because a child or teen with bipolar disorder can have such a difficult time, it is important to identify the problem as early as possible and provide support, understanding, and treatment.