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Bipolar Disorder
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Most cases of Bipolar Disorder are diagnosed in the early years of adult life, but research indicates that some children, diagnosed with Depression, are actually suffering from Bipolar Disorder. Symptoms can begin in early childhood, though they may not occur until adolescence. Up to 3.4 million American children and adolescents, diagnosed with some form of depression, may actually suffer from early-onset bipolar disorder. Symptoms may be episodic, disappearing for a time and then reappearing with vigor. Children with Bipolar Disorder should not be called 'Bipolar Children' or a 'Bipolar Child'. Labels will make the child feel isolated and different.
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For some students with Bipolar Disorder, there may be relatively long periods of wellness between the different mood cycles. Some students will cycle very rapidly, and other students with Bipolar may appear to be "chronically irritable" or in a chronic "mixed" state that has both manicky features and some depressive features. Indeed, if the predominant symptom is irritability, it may be difficult to know whether it is from depression or mania. An individual in a mixed episode may exhibit signs of agitation, suffer from insomnia, experience changes in appetite, have some psychotic features, and experience suicidal thinking.
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Bipolar Disorder (Mania) - Read about bipolar disorder (BD or manic-depressive illness), a brain disorder that causes dramatic mood swings (highs and lows) and affects a person's energy levels and ability to function. These highs and lows are episodes of mania and depression. The mania symptoms of manic depression include increased energy, extreme irritability, spending sprees, and increased sex drive. Depression symptoms include feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, decreased energy, thoughts of death or suicide, and chronic pain. Long-term preventive treatment combining medication and psychosocial treatment is recommended. Source:Government
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Bipolar Disorder (or Manic Depressive Illness) involves prominent mood swings. The individual has periods of depression, and periods when they feel either unusually good or pressured and irritable. It affects 1-2% of the population. Genetics plays a significant role. About 15% of children with one bipolar parent develop the disorder.
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Bipolar Disorder should be diagnosed by a psychiatrist, a specialist, equipped to recognize the symptoms. Accurate diagnosis is crucial, because treatment usually includes medication. If the wrong medication is prescribed, symptoms may worsen, or side effects may occur. To diagnose Bipolar Disorder, doctors look for at least two years of numerous periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms. In children, the duration of symptoms must be at least one year. Symptoms must cause significant impairment in social, work or school or other functional areas.
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Bipolar Disorder type II [I]s characterized by at least one episode of hypomania and at least one episode of major depression. With hypomania the symptoms of mania (euphoria or irritability) appear in milder forms and are of shorter duration. They do not affect social or school functioning as dramatically.
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Bipolar Disorder