Even though it may be a serious matter, bipolar disorder is treatable. It is part of a growing list of mental disorders that have become quite common these days. It affects a person’s vocational and social development. Also due to the serious psychological symptoms, the disorder can cause a change in a person’s behavior. There is in excess of 2 million people in the US alone living with bipolar disorder. Bipolar is not only confined to adults today but also to children. It maybe common in late adolescence and early adulthood but bipolar in children is not uncommon.

Bipolar Children

The diagnosis of bipolar in children is considered controversial and very rare.   According to some studies, the onset of the disorder prior to the age of ten can be estimated to about 0.3% to 0.5% of the people affected with bipolar disorder. Some case reviews even suggest a prevalence rate that is higher than this figure. The number of bipolar kids has increased 40-fold from the year 1994 to the year 2003 and is currently continuing to increase in rate. Recent studies suggest that bipolar can strike as early as the age of seven years old and is now a more common case compared to the cases handled in the past.

Bipolar in Adolescents and Adults

Late adolescence and early adulthood are usually the peak years for bipolar illness in this stage. Since these are the important and more crucial periods in the development of vocational and social aspects in a young adult’s life, people experiencing bipolar disorder in this time of their lives can be severely affected. About 2.6% of people aged 18 years and older suffer from bipolar in any given year. 

There is a difference in the symptoms of bipolar in adults compared to children. This presents a diagnostic challenge to the professionals in the field of mental health. Unlike the predictable patterns and nature of bipolar symptoms, bipolar disorder children most often exhibit explosive outbursts and irritable moods. They also experience the cycles of manic-depression far more rapidly compared to adult cases.

Bipolar in children is most of the time overlooked because some of the symptoms of bipolar are close to those of mental disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD. It has even been recorded that bipolar can even co-exist with ADHD.

In the case of bipolar in adults, many times it is not recognized as an illness because it is usually mistaken for other symptoms of postpartum psychosis, postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and substance abuse. Throughout the life of a person, it should be carefully managed because it is a long term disorder.

Having some knowledge on bipolar is important because of the possible cases that may cause bipolar to be overlooked. It is a fact that bipolar has led numerous people to commit suicide. It can be treated if done in at the right time and with proper management.

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