There have been many questions surrounding the diagnosis of bipolar
disorder in children because of the difference in symptoms they exhibit
compared to that seen in adults with the disorder. This is mainly due to
the differences in the manic state of bipolar children in contrast to
adults. While adults have a manic state characterized by extremes in
emotion and happiness, children show outbursts of aggression and
irritability. This difference separates the symptoms of the disorder in
children and adolescents. Symptoms are mixed in young children, while
older adolescents have the common adult-like mood swings.
The difficulty in diagnosing a child as bipolar, is that symptoms such
as irritability and hostility are also characteristics of attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct problems, and even
schizophrenia. Another important factor upon the illness being overlooked
surrounds parents’ inability to recognize the warning signs and equate
the irrational change in behavior as anything more than “phases of
growing up.”
While the diagnosis may be difficult, most research points to the
diagnosis of a childhood-onset bipolar disorder to be different than that
of an adult. Some research has even indicated the number of children
diagnosed with bipolar disorder is increasing over those first diagnosed
with adult form. In fact as many as 45 % of adults suffering from bipolar
disorder believe they first showed signs of the illness as children.
Symptoms that characterize childhood and adolescent bipolar disease are
sometimes confused or associated with other diseases.
Children:
- Language disorders
- Attention deficit hyperactivity
- Conduct and defiant disorder
- Sexual abuse
- Anxiety problems
Adolescents:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Conduct and defiant disorder
- Sexual abuse
- Schizophrenia
- Anxiety problems
- Substance abuse
