Most parents learn the art of parenting skills before their very first child. These parents are taught beforehand but when their child is met with a symptoms they do not know or understand, most parents press the panic button. Believing that it is an attitude problem that must be controlled whatever the cost, verbally or physically abusing their child. Bipolar symptoms may come out gradually or appear suddenly in a child with known cases of bipolar children diagnosed as young as age 5.
Not in the Description
Those researching into this mental disease are now able to know more about this illness and also understand that children and adolescents can contract bipolar disorder without bounds. The usual definition of bipolar disease can be defined as, the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated mood which are referred to as mania or, if milder, hypo mania. Because they do not have a distinct episodes or clear periods of wellness between each mood swings, some severe mood swings might not meet the textbook definition. Those who have researched in to the disease have not come to a decision yet whether children with chronic annoyance and clear mood swings, but without mania, should come under the name bipolar.
Just Coming to Light
Little is known about children and adolescent bipolar, because when the DSM-IV was first published in 1994, the entire focus was on adult-symptoms. It was only later that intensive research developments in every area of science, especially the brain, have answered many old questions and opened doors to new questions which was not even thought of before. While on the surface the visible symptoms happen to be behavioral; however, this illness sometimes has less visible, but serious, mental, chemical reactions, and heart effects.
The Reason Its Difficult to Diagnose
The disorder does not affect every child in the same way because it is a neurodevelopment disorder which can be accompanied by other psychiatric disorder symptoms. What this means is parts of the brain mature at different rates and times and some brain complete their maturation not until they reach 25 years or so. Symptoms and diagnosis of a psychiatric illness may change as the child grows, is a known fact. Perhaps the most problematic issue facing families today, is doctors have difficulties or an accurate diagnosis of a child or teen presenting with severely troubled behaviors.
The Reality
We must all be looking at the bright side of things. Those researching into childrens and adolescent illness is ongoing and have realized that, while bipolar has been managed in some people there is presently no cure for the disorder. We can only hope that genetic discoveries will add light to more accurate diagnosing, better treatments, and perhaps a cure for this mystery illness. Our only advise to all parents that they must always, expect the best but prepare for the worst, because not every child will react the same way on medication. The truth is what works for some may not work for others.
Be Ready in Body or Mind
Families with children or adolescent who have the disorder must learn where the road ahead may lead and expect the unexpected. Develop strategies and emergency plans while staying flexible and positive in the present. Finally, try to network with other parents, because it may be the only way of keeping you in the right peace of mind.
