Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that has been around for thousands of years. It is often characterized by extreme changes in mood, energy levels, and behavior — what some people call “up” and “down” phases. These changes can be very different from one person to the next and even within the same person over time.
Understand the symptoms and signs of bipolar disorder.
- Understand the symptoms and signs of bipolar disorder.
- Recognize the symptoms of bipolar disorder in yourself or your child, and get help if you suspect that he or she may be suffering from it.
- Be aware of how other mental illnesses can mimic bipolar disorder, such as depression and schizophrenia.
Learn about the different types of bipolar disorders and other conditions with similar symptoms.
The first step to helping your child is learning about bipolar disorder and other conditions that may have similar symptoms.
Learn About the Different Types of Bipolar Disorder:
- Bipolar I disorder is characterized by manic episodes that last at least one week, along with depressive periods lasting at least two weeks. There may also be periods of normal mood between the episodes. People with this type of bipolar are at risk for suicide or other self-harm behaviors when they’re in a depressed state.
- Bipolar II disorder involves less severe manic episodes than those experienced by people with Bipolar I, but these periods still cause problems in daily life and require treatment to prevent relapse into depression or mania (hypomania). Hypomania can cause problems like irritability and poor judgment; it’s often mistaken for anxiety or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s important not to mistake hypomanic symptoms for ADHD because there are different treatments available for each condition–and getting treated too late could lead into full-blown mania!
Develop a rapport with your child’s doctor and teacher.
As a parent of a child with bipolar disorder, it is important to establish a rapport with their doctor and teacher. Having someone who can communicate with you about your child’s progress will help them feel more comfortable opening up about how they are doing. It also allows for better communication between teachers, doctors and parents so everyone stays informed of what is going on with the patient/student in question.
If possible try to find doctors that specialize in mental health issues so they can provide accurate diagnoses as well as treatment recommendations if necessary. Teachers should be trained in what signs indicate that something may be wrong with one of their students so they can look out for them more closely than other teachers might do on just an average basis during school hours each day when working at home doesn’t allow enough time away from classwork assignments being completed by all members simultaneously within groups using computers rather than notebooks filled out manually by hand which takes less time overall but requires more effort per student involved because each person needs something different written down exactly right before moving onto another assignment without any mistakes made along the way (which could result in losing points off their total score).
Keep track of medications and dosages.
- Keep track of the time you give your child the medication.
- Keep track of any dosage (amount and frequency).
- Keep track of any side effects, such as headaches or dizziness.
- If your child is taking other medications, be sure to note that on your chart as well so that you don’t confuse them with the bipolar medication. Also include any vitamins or supplements in your chart so they can be taken at different times than the bipolar medicine if need be.
Monitor sleep patterns and make sure that your child gets enough rest.
It’s important to know that sleep is important for everyone, but especially for teens. Teens need more sleep than adults, and their circadian rhythms are not fully developed until about age 25. Sleep deprivation can lead to mood swings, irritability and depression in bipolar patients who are already vulnerable because of their condition.
While medication can help improve sleep patterns, it may also cause problems with falling asleep or staying asleep–so talk with your child’s doctor if you notice any changes in their sleeping habits or patterns after they start taking medication for bipolar disorder symptoms like mania or depression.
If your child has trouble sleeping because of bipolar disorder symptoms such as anxiety or panic attacks (which are common during times when someone experiences rapid cycling), there are some things you can try:
Find people who can help you keep grounded when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
- Find people who can help you keep grounded when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
- Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, ask for help and talk about your feelings.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for a break if things get too much.
It is important to recognize the signs early so treatment can begin as soon as possible
Bipolar disorder can be difficult to recognize in children, especially if they are young. The following are some of the most common symptoms:
- Irritability or aggression that is not related to any obvious situation (e.g., not being hungry)
- Rapid mood changes with periods of depression and mania that last at least a week or more (this may include frequent tearfulness)
- Extreme sensitivity to criticism or rejection by others; feeling that you have been treated unfairly by others despite no real evidence of this occurring
Bipolar disorder can be a difficult condition to manage, but it is important not to give up. Your child needs you now more than ever and you can help them get through this with your love and support. Remember that by educating yourself on the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder, you can better understand what they are going through so that treatment can begin as soon as possible!
