Bipolar Disorder: Meaning, Symptoms and Treatment

Before 1990, it was thought that only adults could have bipolar disorder. However, the studies conducted beyond it indicate that about 65% of adults with this disease faced symptoms before the age of 18. Most of the kids mainly the adults face mood swings as a normal part of growing up. But when these feelings stay and interfere with the child’s ability to function in everyday life, bipolar could be the root cause.

Kids with bipolar often swing between extremely high mood (mania) and low mood (depression). These mood transitions can produce irritability with time. Parents who have kids with this disorder often describe them as alternating between silly, withdrawn, aggressive, or unpredictable. 

Many cases are treatable and manageable using therapy and medication. Early identification can be the key to getting symptoms under control. Also when young kids face symptoms, this is known as early-onset bipolar disorder. In this post, we will talk about what bipolar disorder means, how to treat bipolar disorder and much more.

What is Bipolar Disorder? | Bipolar Disorder Meaning

Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness or bipolar affective disorder) is a chronic mental disorder related to considerable shifts in energy levels, mood, and decision-making. It is usually split into two phases: depression and mania. 

Causes of Bipolar Disorder

No one knows exactly how this disorder develops. But they want to know what causes bipolar disorder. Current research has unveiled that multiple biological factors enhance the risk of a kid growing with this illness. 

Here are some common bipolar disorder causes:

a) Family history

Many types of research have shown that having a parent or sibling with bipolar disorder increases the chances of your kid developing it.

b) Environmental factors

Both negative and positive stresses can trigger bipolar symptoms. Sometimes going through puberty can set off an episode. In girls, these signs can be related to their monthly cycle.

c) Anxiety disorder 

Kids growing up in stressful environments may be at high risk of developing bipolar.

d) Neurotransmitters

The human brain has special chemicals known as neurotransmitters that carry messages back and forth and also control all the activities of the brain. Bipolar disorder is an illness of the brain that likely involves differences in brain structure, neurotransmitters, or the functioning of particular brain structures.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

A kid or adult who has bipolar faces both manic and depressive phases, which last for several days or weeks. This period is known as mood episodes. In some cases, a kid may face depressive and manic symptoms simultaneously. It is known as a mixed-mood episode.

a) At-home symptoms of bipolar disorder

Symptoms of every kid are different. But during the manic phase, he may have the following signs:

• May watch or hear things that are not present.

• Masturbates too much or engages in risky sex at a young age.

• Act extremely cheerful or silly unlike other kids of his age.

• Focus intensively on a single subject that seems to come out of nowhere.

• Talks so speedily that you are unable to understand her, or switches topics mid-sentence.

• Get upset when a problem arises.

• Poor decision-making.

• Become violent and angry too quickly over small insults.

• Comes up with complicated storylines for his toys and then acts them out excitedly.

• Do not feel tired, get up frequently in the middle of the night, or do not take an interest in napping.

• Talk about sex at unsuitable times; become pre-occupied with sexual thought or sex.

During the depression phase, you might see the warning signs like:

• Eat too little or too much.

• Might gain or lose weight too fast.

• Feel very sad sometimes.

• Complains about headaches and stomach pain frequently (he might ask to miss school due to pain).

• Talks about suicide or death.

• Sleeps too much.

• Talks about being a bad kid or says loud so that everyone hates him.

• Take less interest in the daily activities.

b) At-School symptoms of bipolar disorder

During the manic phase, signs at school include:

• Disobey teachers and others.

• Sometimes acts hyperactive and excessively out of control.

• Appears to be socially active; make new buddies and charm adults with intelligent personality.

• At other times, become authoritative with buddies and get sad over small disagreements.

• Behave strangely like singing loudly during the school pledge or removing his clothes in the classroom.

• Face difficulty in concentrating on school work.

• Unable to sleep during naptime.

• Not able to make mood transitions (like becoming violent and sad when unwelcome change occurs).

• Acts in dangerously impulsive ways. For example, he tries to escape from school, climbs the highest tree, etc.

At a depressive stage, you might spot signs like:

• Uninterested in playing with buddies or may sit alone during break time.

• Thinks that no one likes him.

• Often seems to be in a different world.

• Suddenly become anti-social or have a fear of classmates.

• Become obsessed with the demise.

• Complains about ache to the teacher frequently.

Just note that for many kids, cycling between depression and mania occurs at a much higher speed than it would in adults.

Although it’s common for the cycle to occur over several weeks, months, or years for adults in extreme conditions, your kid may cycle between the signs several times in a single day.

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Adolescents and kids can have different bipolar disorder types, including:

a) Bipolar Disorder 1 (classic bipolar disorder or manic depressive illness)

It is the most serious form and children with this typeface have manic episodes or mixed episodes which:

• Are so severe that the kid can’t sleep
• Extend for at least one week
• Occur either before or after a depressive episode that had lasted for two weeks or more

b) Bipolar Disorder 2

Bipolar 2 is a serious condition and needs intensive treatment immediately. The symptoms alternate between hypomania and depressive states.

c) Bipolar Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)

It’s a milder form of bipolar where mood disorders do not last for a long time. There is a particular criterion for diagnosis in adults. However, the rules are less clear for teens and kids.

How to Diagnose Bipolar Disorder? | Bipolar Disorder Test

Numerous parents ask how is bipolar disorder diagnosed. Well, there are no brain scans or blood tests that can diagnose it. Because teens and kids with bipolar do not usually show similar patterns or behaviour as adults with the same condition. 

So if you think that your kid is facing bipolar disorder, it’s best to schedule an appointment with an experienced physician to discuss your worries. He may see the behaviour of your teen carefully before making a diagnosis and may refer your kid to a professional mental health expert.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Let us discover different bipolar disorder treatments:

a) Talk Therapy

It is one of the excellent bipolar disorder therapies that usually includes family members. Family therapy may help to cope with behaviour issues, relationship problems, and mental illness. An experienced therapist may educate your kid about the disorder and may advise some of the best tactics to manage the symptoms well.

Just note that psychiatric hospitalization may be needed if the child faces an acute safety risk. The treatment works best when the parents, doctors, kids, therapists, and other treatment providers work together as a team.

It means that it’s vital to attend the appointment of your teen, communicate with other providers, ask more and more questions, and educate yourself about the mental health needs of your kid. The psychiatrist or therapist may ask you to carefully watch your kid’s sleep patterns, mood, and behaviour.

b) Bipolar Disorder Medication

A psychiatrist may also advise medicines to control the mood of your kid. Kids respond to medicines in different ways; thus, it’s best to find the right medication and monitor it from time to time. Sometimes kids need different types of medicines to watch out for which is best for them. 

Also, they must take the lowest number of medicines and small doses. Make sure that your child is taking the right dosage. It’s best to begin slow and go slow. Medications can also cause severe side effects. Always tell your doctor about them. Also remember that if you stop your kids’ medication suddenly, it can make bipolar even worse. So avoid doing that.

Bipolar Disorder Risks

Children behave strangely when they have bipolar and this risk doubles when they indulge in the wrong practices like drinking, drugs, etc. A lot of research has shown that teens with bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 disorders are at high risk for suicide. If your kid has been diagnosed with this disorder, it’s essential to take the suicide risk seriously.

a) Co-Morbid Conditions

Most kids with bipolar face can have additional mental illness, behaviour disorder, or addiction. In some cases, additional mental health conditions may irritate bipolar symptoms.

Possible co-existing conditions might include:

• Disturbed behaviour disorders.

• Substance abuse.

• An eating disorder like anorexia.

• Autism.

• Anxiety disorders (such as separation anxiety).

• Physical health problems like obesity and heart issues.

Research even indicate that upto 90% of youth with bipolar may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Natural Remedies for Bipolar | How to Fix Bipolar Disorder without Meds?

Here is how to cure bipolar disorder naturally:

1. Lifestyle Changes

There are specific lifestyle changes that can enhance the overall quality of life.

a) Sleep

Adequate sleep helps to stabilize the mood and lower irritability.

Here are certain tips to follow:

• Ask your kid to you to bed at regular hours and make sure that the room is comfortable.

• Make sure your kid does not eat heavy meals soon before sleeping.

• Avoid any stressful situations and screen time before bed.

• If the kid faces any difficulty in sleeping, speak to the physician immediately.

b) Do Outdoor Exercise

Exercise builds confidence, lowers stress, and offers a good night’s sleep. Expert therapists advise patients to stay in touch with nature and walk outdoors daily regardless of the time of the year or the weather.

c) Take a Healthy Diet

What you eat can hugely affect your energy levels, neurotransmitter functioning, hormone production, and other processes that influence your overall mood. Many studies have found that those kids who consume a diet rich in fast and processed foods are more likely to have manic depression in comparison to those who consume healthy diets. Make sure that the diet is well-balanced, varied, and has a lot of fresh ingredients.

It’s best to take foods that are:

• Rich in fats like raw dairy, coconut, and grass-fed meats.

• High in fibre such as bean/legumes, old grains, hemp, chia, and pumpkin seeds.

• Have a high content of omega-3 fatty acids like halibut, salmon, sardines, and mackerel. It helps to maintain mood stability, enhance brain functioning, and lower aggression, depression, and irritability.

• Rich in protein like cage-free eggs, grass-fed meat wild fish, and pasture-raised poultry. Make sure you have at least 4 to 5 ounces of high-end lean protein at every meal for better hormonal imbalance. 

Besides cutting back on caffeine and alcohol, avoid eating food high in sugar, artificial ingredients, and added sodium. It’s a smart idea to switch to healthy fruits and veggies. Increase your consumption of important nutrients and anti-oxidants which boost mood.

2. Herbs

Certain herbs and supplements enhance depressive signs related to bipolar:

• Inhale essential oils like lavender, ylang-ylang, bergamot, and chamomile. You can also use them in the shower or apply them directly to the skin to lower muscle tension and induce relaxation.

• Take herbs like ginseng, ashwagandha, holy basil, and Rhodiola rosea. It will control stress levels, cortisol, energy levels, and hormonal balance.

3. Follow Calming Techniques

Stress complicates bipolar, but you can use the following alternative treatments to lower anxiety and stress.

• Acupuncture
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Massage therapy

Just note that they can’t treat bipolar, but can help you to manage the symptoms well.

FAQ’s

What happens in Bipolar Disorder? How does it affect kids?

Bipolar makes children very irritated and out of control. Kids with this illness usually face strange mood changes, i.e., from very happy to deeply sad feeling. Other kids face chronic irritability and sometimes mood swings accompany it. If the illness is left untreated, it makes everyday life, relationships, and school life challenging. 

How to overcome bipolar disorder?

Accepting that your kid is facing bipolar can be hard.

Here is how to overcome bipolar disorder:

• Be patient.
• Create an entertaining environment around your kid.
• Motivate your child to talk more.
• Always listen to them carefully.
• Follow the treatment plan.
• Understand mood episodes.
• Tell your child that the treatment can make his life better.
• Talk with a doctor about support groups for caregivers.