Slide 1: Bipolar Disorder By: Lauren Fuchs and Danielle Endes What is Bipolar Disorder?: What is Bipolar Disorder? Bipolar disorder is severe, with devastating consequences for affected individuals. It is a lifelong condition that “ runs an unpredictable course of ups and downs. When left untreated, these ups and downs can be devastating” (http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_diagnosis_treatment.htm). Bipolar disorder, formally known as Manic- Depressive Disorder, presents as, “alternative episodes of depressive and manic states; during manic episodes a person is in an elevated mood or euphoria” as stated by Heward, (2006). Bipolar Disorder as Depression: Bipolar Disorder as Depression Bipolar disorder is ranked as the sixth leading cause of disability (Heward, 2006 p.227). The symptoms that correspond with the disorder vary with each individual. This disorder is known for someone having many different mood swings at any given time, similar to schizophrenia. According to the researchers at Complete Guide to Bipolar Disorder Symptoms (n.d.), bipolar disorder is “Characterized by current episodes of mania and major depression. An affected person’s mood can swing from excessive highs (mania) to profound hopelessness (depression), usually with periods of normal mood in between” (p. 1) Bipolar Disorder in Children: Bipolar Disorder in Children Bipolar disorder is most common in adults but is growing in childhood and adolescence. In the past few decades bipolar disorder was not normally diagnosed in children. Doctors never considered it when diagnosing young children with depression or aggressive behavior. Now this disorder is becoming more common in its symptoms of intense mood swings associated with “high” feeling to “low” feelings (Stoddard, 2009). Types of Bipolar Disorder: Types of Bipolar Disorder There are two types of Bipolar disorder, Bipolar I disorder and Bipolar II . These are different due to the symptoms a person displays. In Bipolar I disorder, “Individuals have had at least one full manic or mixed mood episode, and may suffer from episodes or depression” ( Complete Guide to Bipolar Disorder Symptoms, n.d.). According to the doctors in the Complete Guide to Bipolar Disorder Symptoms (n.d.), Bipolar II disorder occurs “When the individual has at least one depressive episode and at least one hypo manic episode, but never experience a full manic or mixed mood episode. Bipolar II can go unrecognized because the hypo manic symptoms may not appear that unusual”(p.1). Bipolar I and Bipolar II affect adults and children. Youngstrom, Findling, Youngstrom and Calabrese (2005), state that “95,000 children and adolescence were medicated for bipolar disorder in 2001 with the rate likely to increase” (p. 433). Is it depression or bipolar disorder?: Is it depression or bipolar disorder? According to the Bipolar Disorder Symptoms website (2006), symptoms of this disorder include many things including being unable to control or contain one’s mood or actions. Symptoms for Bipolar disorder I include depression which is a main cause, feelings of anguish, inability to focus, fluctuation in eating habits, and fluctuation of body weight. Bipolar II includes the hypo mania which means a person may have increased levels of energy, talkative moods, less demand or need for sleep, and inappropriate sexual activities. With these symptoms it is easily seen why a child or even an adult might get diagnosed with depression rather than bipolar disorder. The main symptom difference between the two is that depression leaves a person in a state of “low” or sadness, which is nearly impossible to let go of. On the other hand, bipolar disorder will leave u in a “low” state and then you will reach the “high” or feelings of extreme happiness, excitement, or thrill. Symptoms : Symptoms As told by Bardick and Bernes (2005), “The American Counselor Association (ASCA) recognizes that students diagnosed with psychological or behavioral problems will likely experience difficulties with performance in school, at home and in the community”(p. 25). This is why bipolar disorder can be misunderstood or misdiagnosed in children due to the hormonal changes of growing up. Symptoms in Bipolar disorder can appear to be traits of a developing child. Examples of this include extremely happy when receiving a favorite toy or feeling extreme sadness when being told that he or she can not sleep at their friend’s house that weekend. Bipolar conditions in children can be extremely hard to see by parents as well as doctors. Careful notation of a child’s moods that seem drastic in such a way that the mood is controlling the child rather than the child controlling the mood is a serious symptom and sign of this terrible disorder. Why is it easier to diagnose bipolar disorder in adults rather than children?: Why is it easier to diagnose bipolar disorder in adults rather than children? Symptoms of bipolar disorder are extremely hard to distinguish in children and easier to see in adults. This is due to the child’s developmental stages and how growth affects mood. Research can use the history of an adult’s past and relate experiencing bipolar disorder as a child but was just simply misdiagnosed. Bardick and Bernes (2005), proves this theory by stating, “Bipolar disorder often is overlooked because a majority of children with symptoms of bipolar disorder also may meet the criteria for more commonly known childhood disorder such as ADHD” (p.1). Increase in diagnosis : Increase in diagnosis In 2002, it has been documented that a 260% increase had taken place on the diagnosis of children having Bipolar disorder; this was taken from data provided by the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (Youngstrom & Finding, 2005). Treatments : Treatments Medication : Medication is a way that can help minimize the highs and lows of bipolar disorder and keep symptoms under control. Psychotherapy : With Psychotherapy and Working with a therapist, you can learn how to cope with difficult or uncomfortable feelings, repair your relationships, manage stress, and regulate your mood. Education : The more you and your loved ones know about bipolar disorder, the better able you’ll be to avoid problems and deal with setbacks. Advances in educating children with bipolar disorder in the future: Advances in educating children with bipolar disorder in the future With all the new findings about bipolar disorder, children can be diagnosed properly. Hopefully in the future researchers can find the reasons to why this disorder is extremely hard to diagnose within children. Bipolar disorder affects more children than we think, due to the hidden symptoms. Now as we progress in our future of technology, there are hopes in finding the essential symptoms for this disorder will be found. References : References Bardick, A., & Bernes, K. (2005). A closer examination of bipolar disorder in school-age children. Professional School Counseling , 9 (1),72. Retrieved from ERIC database. Bipolar disorder symptoms. (2006) Retrieved November 23,2009, from: http://www.bipolardisordersymptom.org/Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Carlson, G. (2005). Early onset bipolar disorder: Clinical and research considerations. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology , 34 (2),333-343. Retrieved from ERIC database. Guide to bipolar disorder. (n.d.) Retrieved November 23,2009, from: http://bipolarhome.org/complete guide to bipolar disorder symptoms Heward, L. W. (2006). Exceptional children an introduction to special education (8 th ed.) Upper Sattle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. Senokossoff, G., & Stoddard, K. (2009). Swimming in deep water: Childhood bipolar disorder. Preventing School Failure , 53 (2), 89-94. Retrieved from ERIC database. Smith, M., M.A., Segal, J., Ph.D., & Segal, R., M.A. (2010, November). Treatment for biopolar disorder . Retrieved March 21, 2011, from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_diagnosis_treatment.htm Youngstrom, E., Findling, R., Kogos Youngstrom, J., & Calabrese, J. (2005). Toward an evidence-based assessment of pediatric bipolar disorder. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology , 34 (3), 433-448. Retrieved from ERIC database.