| Many parents face life with a difficult to raise child. If | | | | difficult to treat down the road.Treatment of Bipolar |
| temper tantrums, crying fits, severe opposition and | | | | DisorderThe first line of defense with bipolar disorder is |
| sometimes even extreme giddiness are part of your | | | | the mood stabilizer. Since bipolar is a chemical |
| daily or even weekly routine, then you'll want to read | | | | imbalance in the brain, the mood stabilizer attempts to |
| this.Early onset bipolar disorder is quite unlike adult | | | | fix the imbalance. Several different mood stabilizers |
| bipolar disorder. It manifests differently in children and | | | | are available and your doctor will prescribe the one |
| often disguises itself as ADHD (attention deficit | | | | they feel is right for your child, based upon the |
| hyperactivity disorder). It is difficult to diagnosis, but | | | | symptoms you describe. This is why it is important to |
| armed with the right information, a good psychiatrist | | | | keep accurate records of your child's behaviors. Be |
| can identify it and treat it.Symptoms (may | | | | aware, mood stabilizers can take up to six weeks to |
| include):irritable moodagitationimpulsivity (lack of | | | | be affective. By that time you should have had a |
| control)destructive ragesdefiance of authority | | | | follow-up visit or even two and can discuss the need |
| (especially when no is used)separation anxietyextreme | | | | to change medications if necessary. Bipolar medication |
| sadnesscrying spellssleeping too much or too littlelack | | | | is trial and error so be patient.Therapy is also important |
| of interest in activitiesrapidly changing moods (from | | | | to the bipolar child. Finding a child psychologist is |
| sadness to elation)hyperactivitypressured or racing | | | | sometimes difficult, but can make a big difference to |
| speechbed wettingnight terrorsinappropriate sexual | | | | your child. Therapy teaches them how to cope with |
| behaviorexcessive craving of sweetsWhat Parents | | | | their disorder and can teach them skills they can use |
| Need to Do:Keep a daily log of your child's moods | | | | when an episode erupts. They can also be very helpful |
| (mood charts can be found online)Keep a record of | | | | to the parents, teaching them how to cope with their |
| unusual behaviors (anything that fits into one of the | | | | bipolar child.Early intervention cannot be stressed |
| categories above)Keep a sleep diary (a record of | | | | enough. The sooner your child is evaluated, the sooner |
| how many hours your child sleeps each night)Write | | | | they can be diagnosed and become stable. If you |
| down anything your child says that may seem out of | | | | doubt your child's diagnosis, don't be afraid to seek a |
| the ordinary (especially things about death or not | | | | second opinion. The best case scenario is that you |
| wanting to live)Write down a family history of anyone | | | | have misread your child's behavior and the doctor will |
| who has had a mood disorders or experienced | | | | tell you that the behavior your child exhibits is normal. |
| alcoholismWhether or not you have a history of mood | | | | The worst case scenario is that your child does have |
| disorders in your family, if your child is experiencing | | | | bipolar disorder. Remember though, bipolar is treatable |
| most or all of the symptoms above, it's imperative that | | | | and is not the end of the world, especially if caught |
| you have them evaluated by a qualified doctor. Often | | | | early.Terry J. Coyier is a 37-year-old college student |
| the family physician isn't familiar with the intricacies of | | | | studying for an Associates of Applied Sciences |
| mental disorders and should refer you to a child | | | | degree. She is also a freelance writer who writes |
| psychiatrist who specializes in mood disorders. Early | | | | about bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses. Terry |
| prevention is the best treatment and can make life for | | | | was diagnosed with bipolar ten years ago. She lives |
| you and your child so much easier.If your doctor wants | | | | with her son in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. Terry is |
| to treat your child for ADHD, make sure they rule out | | | | an author on which is a site for Writers and her |
| bipolar disorder FIRST! Being treated with stimulants | | | | personal portfolio can be viewed here. |
| can exacerbate bipolar disorder, making it even more | | | | |