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Bipolar Disorder - Children and AdolescentsWhat is Bipolar Disorder or Manic-Depression?Bipolar Disorder is a serious mental illness that affects a child's or adolescent’s mood and behavior. Young people with Bipolar Disorder have dramatic changes in their moods, alternating between feeling very depressed and feeling high or manic. They may have more normal moods between these episodes. The periods of depression or mania can last for days, weeks or even months. Because of the depression and mania, Bipolar Disorder is also called Manic-Depression. At this site, we will use the term Bipolar. In other places, you may see the term Manic-Depression used. Symptoms of depression include:
Symptoms of mania include:
In the past, a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder was rarely made for children. Based on more recent research, Bipolar Disorder in children is now better recognized and can be treated. Currently, it is unknown exactly how common Bipolar Disorder is in children and adolescents. Estimates are that over one million children and adolescents have Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar Disorder is a serious illness that can interfere with a child or adolescent’s functioning in the family, at school and with friends. What causes Bipolar Disorder?Research indicates that Bipolar Disorder is genetic and tends to run in families. The chances of a child or adolescent having Bipolar Disorder are much greater if their parents and/or grandparents have it. Bipolar Disorder is believed to be associated with a chemical imbalance in the brain. The start of Bipolar Disorder can be triggered by extreme stress, such as the death of a loved one, substance abuse or an illness. Bipolar Disorder may also occur without an obvious cause. How can Bipolar Disorder Be Treated?There are many treatments that can reduce the depression and mania and allow the child or adolescent to enjoy their family and friends, to learn, and to prepare to have productive adult lives. Treatments include play therapy for children, talking therapies (or counseling) for older children and adolescents, and medications. Counseling with parents helps them to understand their young person’s difficulties and manage the symptoms. A combination of these treatments is usually the most effective. A child or adolescent who appears to be depressed or shows signs of manic or hyperactive behavior, excessive temper outbursts and mood changes should be evaluated by a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker who has experience treating Bipolar Disorder. An accurate evaluation is especially important since medications used to treat Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and those used for Clinical Depression may worsen symptoms of Mania. The biggest problem with Bipolar Disorder is that children and adolescents often go years before they get the treatment they need. The sections below provide links to web sites that give additional information about Bipolar Disorder as well as a link to Westchester County Mental Health Services, a database which includes local service providers who treat Bipolar Disorder. Additional Information About Bipolar DisorderChild and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF)
National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH)
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Westchester County Mental Health ServicesFor information about mental health services offered in Westchester and Putnam counties in the state of New York, consult our database of these services. General instructions for using the database are displayed before you click on the [Search Westchester Services] button. To focus on services for children and adolescents who may have Bipolar Disorder, use the Keyword feature. Click on the [Keyword Search] button in the lower right corner of the database. When the next screen comes up:
From the list of services displayed, click on the one closest to your area of interest. Return to the top of the page.
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