These traits carry with them different
circumstances and should be dealt with appropriately
given the severity. Conduct disorders is similar in
both age groups, with occurrence being in about 20 %
of those afflicted. Understanding the family history
is important in determining sexual abuse and
possible schizophrenia. Attention deficit disorders
usually lead to bipolar disorder in both children
and adolescents characterized by recurring states of
mania. Substance abuse in adolescents often leads to
rapid cycling and can mimic the negative effects of
depression and mania throughout. Both children and
adolescents have higher instances of anxiety, with
as many as 30% of all sufferers facing this threat.
The Course of Bipolar Disorder through Age
Childhood and Young Adolescent
| Initial Episode: |
Strong depression |
| Type: |
Rapid-cycling |
| Length of illness: |
Continuous |
| Lasting Symptom: |
Manic State |
Teenagers
| Initial Episode: |
Heightened mania |
| Type: |
Extreme highs and lows |
| Length of illness: |
Days or weeks |
| Lasting Symptom: |
Depressed state |
Young children are usually stricken with an
episode of depression and sadness, usually resulting
in cycles of irrational behavior and brief
outbursts. The illness is continuous until treated,
and it is the manic state that usually remains the
toughest to overcome. While there are improvements
in teenagers who suffer from the illness, young
children often face the fact that the disease is not
going to go away, and may in fact plague them into
adulthood. The ability to diagnosis the disorder in
its early stages, and seek appropriate treatment
that will help regulate the child’s behavior can in
most cases keep it regulated, and even reduce its
debilitating effects before adulthood.
