Essay On Childhood Bipolar Disorder

Manic depression disorder, more commonly known today as bipolar disorder, is a mental illness that can affect any age, race, or gender. It is not prejudiced, and has a grim prognosis if the symptoms are not treated or controlled in some fashion. Bipolar disorder is, by Boris Birmaher as the presence of recurrent episodes of mania or hypomania with and without episodes of depression (Birmaher, 2013). As explained by Hockenbury and Hockenbury, a manic episode can be sudden and escalates the emotional state of the individual causing them to have extreme euphoria, as well as more excitement, physical energy, and a more rapid thought and speech process. A depressive episode can also come on suddenly and leaves the individual in a lost state, where they are tired, and no longer find enjoyment from activities that they once loved and could lead to suicidal thoughts or actions (Hockenbury & Hockenbury, 2014). A person does not mentally mature fully until about the age of 25. Meaning that a 25 year old has different brain processes than a 10 year old. Because of this, there have been many studies conducted on the controversy between whether or not bipolar disorder should be diagnosed in children and adolescents.

Bipolar Disorder The aspect of bipolar disorder has been a mystery since the 16th century. It was rumored that Vincent Van Gough suffered from bipolar disorder. There is a large group of people suffering from this disorder, however there are no causes or cures for it. Bipolar disorder impairs one’s ability to obtain and sustain social and occupational success. The journey for even a cause will continue for many years to come.

The DSM-5(2013) section on Bipolar and related disorders includes diagnoses for Bipolar I disorder, Bipolar II disorder, cyclothymic disorder, substance/medication induced bipolar and related disorder, bipolar and related disorder due to another medical condition, other specified bipolar and related disorder and unspecified bipolar and related disorder there is no classification for pediatric or early onset bipolar disorder. Though there is the following statement “the recognition that many individuals, particularly children and, to a lesser extent, adolescents, experience bipolar-like phenomenon that do not meet the criteria for bipolar I, bipolar II, or cyclothymic disorder is reflected in the availability of the other specified bipolar and related category. Indeed, specific criteria for a disorder involving short-duration hypomania are provided in Section III in the hope of encouraging further study of this disorder.” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) . For DSM-5(2013) diagnosis purposes pediatric bipolar disorder would seem to fall under 296.89 Other Specified Bipolar and Related Disorders presentation 3 which is Hypomanic episode without prior major depressive episode. This presentation describes clients who have had one or more manic episodes but has not met the full criteria for a major depressive or manic episode. Fristad & MacPherson (2014) discuss that Bipolar disorder once was thought to be a disorder of adulthood but recently research has suggested

For an episode to be categorized as manic, the patients’ mood has been irritable or abnormally elevated for at least 1 week. A person must also exhibit at least 3 of the following symptoms (4 if the mood is only irritable): extreme feelings of personal greatness; a decreased need for sleep, marked talkativeness; distractibility; extreme focus on a goal-directed activity; reports of ‘racing’ thoughts or a flight of ideas; or excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (i.e. sexual indiscretions or unintelligent business investments). As in the criteria for a depressed episode, the DSM-IV specifies that these symptoms should not be better explained as being a side effect of a drug or illness to qualify as a manic episode. These symptoms must interfere with the person’s normal functioning and must not meet the criteria for a mixed episode. As with adults, childhood-onset bipolar disorder has many faces. Children with Bipolar I Disorder have episodes of mania and episodes of depression, sometimes there are long periods of normal moods between episodes. Adults usually tend to have more depressed episodes than manic episodes. However, some children will have chronic mania (symptoms of mania lasting for long periods of time or marked by frequent recurrence) and seldom experience a depressed episode.

The lifetime prevalence rate for Bipolar I Disorder is 0.6% and the 12-month prevalence rate is 0.4% of the overall population (Merikangas et al, 2011). The United States had the highest reported lifetime prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorders with 4.4% and a 12-month prevalence of 2.8%. In addition, lifetime prevalence rates for bipolar I disorder were found to be slightly higher in males than in females. While much of the reported prevalence rates for bipolar disorder are based on adults 18 years and older, Merikangas et al. (2010) reported prevalence rates in the United States for adolescents including 3.3% for males and 2.6% for females. It was also reported that prevalence rates continue to steadily increase throughout

Bipolar Disorder is a brain disorder which unfortunately affects many individuals, causing unusual shifts in behaviors and moods, alterations in energy and activity levels, as well as dysfunction in the ability to perform day-to-day activities. This disorder can even be the cause of many broken relationships and the development of other mental health illnesses. In the literature review provided, the writer will explore Bipolar Disorder as a mental illness, specifically diagnosed in adults. The paper will entail information regarding contributing factors of the illness, treatment options and therapeutic models to treat the disorder, and will discuss the effects on children of parents with bipolar disorder. Additionally, the writer will reflect on a certain gap in current and past research and will provide a discussion of implications for future social work practice with this specific population.

Since the 1990s, the amount of children who are diagnosed with a form of bipolar disorder have rocketed sky high. Children, like adults can possibly have neurological issues in the brain that does not allow them to function properly. These children are seen as hyperactive, aggressive people who are not able to control themselves mentally and emotionally. They can be described as a “ticking time bomb”, and people having to walk on eggshells around them, not knowing if it is going to be the euphoric or the depressed child, they are going to be dealing with. In this literature review, the following topics will be mentioned: the description of what bipolar disorder is; the types of bipolar disorders; the child’s state of mind in the disorder; the causes of bipolar disorder; The DSM-V criteria for diagnosing Bipolar disorder; and the treatment of the disorder.

For many years, the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder in children has been controversial, partly due to the difficulty of identifying symptoms that are age appropriate versus clinically significant in children (Birmaher, 2013). Furthermore, Pediatric Bipolar Disorder can often present similarly to or occur comorbidly with other disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and anxiety disorders (Hart, Brock, & Jeltova, 2014). Flaherty (2013) depicts Pediatric Bipolar Disorder as often having similar symptomatic presentation to pediatric schizophrenia. However, in recent years, Pediatric Bipolar Disorder has been gaining

The issues surrounding the importance of early diagnosis and the application of a variety of therapies for bipolar disorder are examined through the lens of a mix of quantitative, qualitative and mixed peer reviewed journals acquired from data sources such as MEDLINE, and Psycinfo by using Boolean language in Lamar University’s library data base. Current studies into the dynamics of manic depression or bipolar disorder, offer insight into future treatments; diagnosis of pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD); and detection of BD at a genetic level. Concerns that arise from this literature comprise issues relating to:

The apparent increase in the number of children in today’s society that are diagnosed with mental illness, especially that of bipolar disorder, does not seem to come as much of a surprise to anyone. Yet, why is this? Is the recent over-diagnosis due in part to fault within the definition of what pediatric bipolar disorder actually is? Many believe this to be the case; while others support the notion that bipolar disorder is not over diagnosed and the recent prevalence of the disorder is the result of increased awareness on the part of health professionals along with an increase in the number of children who are more readily succumbing to such a disorder. To admit to an over diagnosis should not be seen as a denial of the disease itself, but rather, the different clinical presentations of the disorder should be seen as an inconsistency among practitioners. This discrepancy results in the acknowledgment of more cases than actually exists; an admission of this over-diagnosis would be seen merely as a flaw within the ability of practitioners to reach a consensus. Such a flaw manifests itself in the over diagnosis of the disorder, which is something that, for the sake of the client as well as the field as a whole, should not be overlooked.

Bipolar disorder (BP) is a mood disorder that is considered to affect the emotional regulation of individuals who have it (Blaney, Krueger, & Millon, 2015, p.234). Bipolar disorder is also believed to compromise the executive functioning, attention, planning, and regulation for the individuals who have it (Blaney, Krueger, and Millon, 2015, pp.234-235). As a consequence, BP may cause serious adverse consequences to the individuals who have it. According to Singh and Muhammad (2006), bipolar disorder is often unrecognized or misdiagnosed when patients are initially seen when seeking treatment for mood symptoms. Furthermore, unrecognized or misdiagnosis of BP may lead to ineffective treatment and increased risk of mood episodes (Consequences

More specifically, wrongly diagnosing children with bipolar disorder has become the new trend which proves to be dangerous to children. There is self-help literature in the form of children’s books which highlight the symptoms found in children diagnosed with bipolar disease. These symptoms are the same symptoms doctors use to diagnose kids with bipolar disorder. Reading these books convinces parents that their child has bipolar disorder, which leads them to take their child to the doctors. Because bipolar disorder is the new trend, drug companies took this opportunity to persuade doctors to prescribe medication for this disorder. Doctors are now prescribing medication intended for adults to children, which in some cases may cause permanent damage or even death. Kaplan explains that many of the symptoms associated with bipolar disorder in children can be mistaken for symptoms of ADHD, ODD, or even normal child development (Kaplan p.56). The American Psychiatric Association is now requesting a more intense diagnosis be performed before taking any further

Understanding the etiology of a child or adolescent diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder may allow a practitioner, researcher, parent or teacher an acute clarity of the diagnosis. Carlsons et al. (2009), intent for research was to reaffirm and decipher the multiplicity of descriptions for children and adolescents diagnosed with Early Onset Bipolar Disorder. While, Youngstrom (2009) identified the development of the “Tripartite Model” a high level of negative affect outweighing the positive affect creating anxiety and depression. The DSM provides us with the symptoms for Bipolar Disorder, yet the clarity in early onset leaves a vacancy. Although I may agree with the modality of Youngstrom (2009) I also conform with Carlsons et al. (2009) findings. We need to begin by reviewing biology, neurology, pharmacotherapy, prodromes and psychosocial behavior to find the comorbidity of any behavior disorders to provide adequate data with work groups.

The onset of bipolar disorder is usually in late adolescence or early adulthood (7). It is possible for both children and adolescents to develop the disease as well. This usually happens when there is a family history for the disease. Children afflicted by bipolar disorder are usually more irritable and destructive during their manic states and are more prone to mixed states (9). It is even harder to diagnose bipolar disorder in children because it is often confused with other problems that occur at a younger age such as attention deficit disorder, conduct disorder, major depression, or schizophrenia (9).

At least 2 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder, more commonly known as manic-depression. This illness usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood and continues throughout life. Although it may come into affect at any time, most individuals with the disorder experience their first mood episode in their 20’s. However, manic-depression quite often strike teenagers and has been diagnosed in children under 12.