I was diagnosed as Bipolar when I was an adult but know I have had it all my life. Reflecting back to my childhood, I now understand some of the things I did and confusion I had. I remember sitting at dinner with my parents and there friends acting polite and quiet while my head was racing with thoughts and it was all I could do to control my emotions. Once and a while I would have such a build up of emotions, I would bite a family member.
No one had any clue of what was going on in my head because I learned to hide it well. All of my ticks as a child were excused and I learned to hide them more from people as I grew up. I didn't tell any one that I felt the weight of the world on me.
I wish people were more aware of this disorder when I was young because getting help at a younger age would have made my struggle a lot easier. If cognitive therapy is introduced at an early age, there would be less chance of RX drugs needed in later years.
What are some of the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in children and what should you do if your suspect your child has those symptoms? Symptoms include biting, aggression, wanting to be cuddled one minute and raging the next, irritability, sleep disturbances like night terrors and nightmares as well as too much or little sleep, bed wetting, sleep walking, teeth grinding, hysterical laughing, when talking they jump from one idea to the next, hyper sexuality, and unrealistic self esteem.
Bipolar Disorder is often misdiagnosed in children as ADHD because of similar symptoms. Some differences are ADHD kids beak things by being careless and Bipolar kids break them out of anger. The period of time the child can calm down is greater with bipolar. ADHD children are triggered by over stimulation as Bipolar react to limitations of saying no. ADHD children are often unaware of danger and Bipolar children tend to be risk takers.
The first thing you should do if you suspect your child has Bipolar Disorder is to see a Doctor to get an evaluation. Cognitive therapy is often the best approach depending on the severity. Teaming up with your Doctor is important to make the best plan possible.
