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Bipolar Disorder in Children (October 11, 2002, One)

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Program Summary

This week guest host Paul Raeburn sits in for Ira Flatow.

News For Teachers: Bipolar disorder -- once known as manic depression -- seems to be on the rise in children and teens. Unfortunately, doctors aren't sure what's responsible for the increase. This segment is suitable for staff development purposes and is not intended for correlation with the classroom curriculum.

Use the fast facts that follow as discussion starters for a component of your inservice education. A resource listing at the end of this section provides additional useful information for staff development.

Fast Facts About Bipolar Disorder

• Bipolar disorder is difficult to recognize and diagnose in youth.
• Presenting symptoms differ from those established for adults.
• Symptoms of bipolar disorder often are mistaken for normal emotions and behaviors of children and adolescents. However, what is not normal is that bipolar disorder significantly impairs functioning in school, with peers, and at home with family.
• The disorder can resemble and/or co-occur with other common childhood-onset mental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Effective treatment in children and adolescents depends on appropriate diagnosis.
• Antidepressants and stimulant medications are used in treatment. However, stimulants prescribed to treat (ADHD) or ADHD-like symptoms in a child with bipolar disorder may worsen manic symptoms. If manic symptoms develop or markedly worsen during antidepressant or stimulant use, a physician should be consulted immediately, and diagnosis and treatment for bipolar disorder should be considered.
• Children and adolescents who have a family history of bipolar disorder may be most at risk for developing the disorder. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is conducting and supporting research on child and adolescent bipolar disorder.

The above information was excerpted or based on information in “Child and Adolescent Bipolar Disorder: An Update from the National Institute of Mental Health.”

Guests

Related Links and Resources

Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Illness) in Teens Facts For Families #38, from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, (May 2000).

The Bipolar Child, by Demitri Papolos Md., and Janice Papolos. Broadway Books, 2002.

Bipolar Disorders: A Guide to Helping Children & Adolescents, by Mitzi Waltz; Patient Centered Books, 2000.

Facts About Childhood-Onset Bipolar Disorder, from The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders.

Note: Listeners interested in the NIMH bipolar study mentioned during this hour were told to call 866-MAP-NIMH toll-free to reach the general recruitment line for the mood and anxiety program at the NIMH, or 301-496-8381 to reach the child and adolescent bipolar disorder research team directly.

For Discussion:

Activities

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