Did you Know?

Fact #1: According to the National Institute of Mental Health, early-onset Bipolar Disorder affects potentially up to one million teenagers from the ages of 14 to 18.
 
Fact #2: There is no known cure for early-onset Bipolar Disorder which can begin to show symptoms in children as young as five.
 
Fact #3: There is currently no empirical test, no bio-marker test, no blood test, no MRI and no genetic test yet developed to scientifically show that someone has Bipolar Disorder.
 
Fact #4:  Bipolar Disorder in children and adolescents may be different from the adult form of this illness. Children and adolescents are more likely to be irritable and prone to destructive outbursts than to be elated or euphoric.
 
Fact #5:  Bipolar Disorder used to be called manic depression.
 
Fact #6:  It is not uncommon for children and adolescents with Bipolar Disorder to self-medicate and develop issues with chemical and substance abuse

There is Hope.

With early diagnosis, intervention and treatment, people can recover and led fulfilling lives.

Employment and support strategies are available.

A bipolar peer support group is available.

Causes of Bipolar

The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, but several factors may be involved, such as:

• Biological differences. People with bipolar disorder appear to have physical changes in their brains. The significance of these changes is still uncertain but may eventually help pinpoint causes.
• Genetics. Bipolar disorder is more common in people who have a first-degree relative, such as a sibling or parent, with the condition. Researchers are trying to find genes that may be involved in causing bipolar disorder.

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Types of Bipolar Disorder

• Bipolar I disorder involves periods of severe mood episodes from mania to depression.

 

• Bipolar II disorder is a milder form of mood elevation, involving milder episodes of hypomania that alternate with periods of severe depression.

 

• Cyclothymic disorder describes brief periods of hypomanic symptoms alternating with brief periods of depressive symptoms that are not as extensive or as long-lasting as seen in full hypomanic episodes or full depressive episodes.

 

• "Mixed features" refers to the occurrence of simultaneous symptoms of opposite mood polarities during manic, hypomanic or depressive episodes. It's marked by high energy, sleeplessness, and racing thoughts. At the same time, the person may feel hopeless, despairing, irritable, and suicidal.

 Some Common Symptoms of Bipolar

• Mood Swings
• Euphoria
• Rapid Speech
• Racing Thoughts
• Irritation
• Increased Physical Activity
• Careless Use of Drugs/Alcohol
• Decreased Need for Sleep
• Missed Work 
• Fatigue
• Chronic Pain with No Known Cause 
• Sadness/Hopelessness

Treatment

Treatment involves a combination of medication and psychosocial treatments. The medications are known as mood stabilizers. Psychosocial treatments could involve psychotherapy, education, and support groups.
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Treatment for bipolar disorder needs to be continuous, even though there may be long periods of stability between episodes.