Symptoms And Symptoms Of Early Onset Bipolar Disorder

Early-onset bipolar disorder is a chronic mood disturbance that causes dramatic shifts in one’s mood that is uncharacteristic of their normal mood and behavior. This hereditary behavioral disorder causes mood swings from extreme lows, depression, to extreme highs, mania. It usually occurs in mid- to late-adolescence but can appear as early as elementary school. The unique symptoms of this age group are angry and aggressive outbursts followed by periods of remorse and guilt, declining academic performance, extreme moodiness, inability to handle frustration or control at least one of the child’s body systems (e.g. bedwetting) and worsening disruptive behavior. If left untreated, the individual could become a danger to themselves or others,†¦show more content†¦All of the individual’s symptoms must cause significant distress or impairment at home, work or school and must not be the result of the direct physiological effects of alcohol or drug abuse, a gener al medical condition or the side effects of medication (Evans Andrews, 2005). The criteria for mania listed in the DSM-IV-TR includes an overly high, expansive, or irritable mood present for at least one week; but if the child has been hospitalized, this time period may be shorter. Three of these symptoms must also be present: a decreased need for sleep, talkativeness or a feeling of pressure to keep talking, abrupt changes of topic during speech or racing thoughts, distractibility, increased activity, excessive involvement in pleasurable but high-risk activities (e.g. reckless driving, substance abuse, promiscuity), or grandiosity. Again, these symptoms must cause a marked impairment in functioning or relationships, are severe enough that hospitalization is necessary or lead to psychotic symptoms (e.g. delusional thinking, hallucinations) and cannot be the result of the direct physical effects caused by alcohol or drug abuse, a general medical condition or the side effects of a me dication (Evans Andrews, 2005). Hypomania,