Here is the continuation of the excellent WebMD article on childhood onset bipolar disorder. …
Definition of Childhood Bipolar Disorder Controversial
What, exactly, is childhood bipolar disorder? It’s controversial. Bipolar disorder used to be called manic depression because it is characterized by bouts of depression and bouts of mania.
Mania in adults is characterized by euphoria, grandiosity, irritability, racing thoughts, and frenetic activity. While some experts argue that childhood mania must also exhibit signs of euphoria and grandiose behavior, others say irritability may be the only sign.
“In children, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are very different from the symptoms in adults,” Julio Licinio, MD, chairman of the department of psychiatry at the University of Miami, tells WebMD.
In January 2007, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) set out a “practice parameter” acknowledging the controversy. The AACAP’s expert panel noted that for both children and adults, doctors are much more often diagnosing bipolar disorder based on individual symptoms rather than characteristic patterns of symptoms.
The AACAP panel noted that there’s also debate over whether bipolar disorder in children is even the same illness as bipolar disease in adults. What is agreed on is that bipolar disorder is an increasingly common diagnosis in children — including preschool children.
“There was a real underdiagnosis of bipolar disorder in children. We’ve gone to the other situation now,” Licinio says. “Some of these children are just irritable and cranky and negative. They get more brittle than manic. And people can mistake juvenile delinquency for bipolar disorder. So there is a potential for this to be really missed.”
The interest in bipolar disorder and children never ends. It’s such a tough diagnosis.
Bipolar Disorder and Children: A Mother’s letter
Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008hi, I often get letters from readers. I like to pass on the ones that show positive stories of how this illness CAN be treated. It takes a team- that is for sure!
Julie,
Thank you for doing this work.
Public, private and municipal awareness is essential.
So is education, school awareness.
You are amazing.
My 13 year old daughter has had an early diagnosis of early onset bipolar disorder and we have had treatment plans and interventions as needed in place for about 5 years now.
She is doing really well, is stable and we provide the best environment, prescribed meds and learning environment for her as possible.
Early detection and “labeling” for treatment and protocol purposes is essential.
It helps to detect, to understand and to treat appropriately.
Thank you for helping me to understand as a parent what exactly the cognizant pieces and self awareness that a BP person needs in order to ultimately help themselves.
I pass this on to my daughter, as she grows and is willing and able to listen and deal personally with her illness and indeed special needs.
Thank you for being a role model to young women with BP disorder.
Best regards and peace -
PWF
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