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For several years, manic depression in children went unrecognized because childhood bipolar symptoms differ from adult symptoms. Now researchers recognize that bipolar disorders can be manifested in early childhood. Parents of bipolar children report that they noticed a difference in their child almost from birth. They had a very difficult time calming their child or getting it to sleep. They also noticed an increased sensitivity to pain or sensory stimulation and higher separation anxiety.

Childhood Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

The main difference between childhood bipolar disorder and adult bipolar disorder is that children often cycle much more frequently, often several times a day. This ultradian cycling (Latin for ‘many times per day’) is usually manifested in a series of moody behavior or depression, irritability, anger or outbursts, and even violent tantrums. Bipolar kids may often complain of headaches, stomach or muscle aches, etc. Some children may also swing into silly, annoying or irrational behavior. Almost all bipolar kids have difficulty sleeping and getting up in the morning, while they experience increased energy in the late afternoon or evening.

Why Bipolar Children are Often Misdiagnosed

For obvious reasons, rapid cycling bipolar is often misdiagnosed as Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Also, bipolar children often exhibit irritability or anger, and can be misdiagnosed as Opposition Defiant Disorder (ODD). Although many bipolar children may also have ADHD or ODD, medications for these disorders could aggravate bipolar symptoms, so it is very important to be tested before determining a treatment regimen.

Adolescent or Teenage Bipolar Disorder

Although teens may have experienced bipolar symptoms at an earlier age, some symptoms become more pronounced during adolescence. For example, teenagers may become more defiant or withdraw socially. Some teens will become more socially aggressive and participate in risky sexual, gang or drug related behavior.

Bipolar Treatments for Children

Most children need to be stabilized and some need antipsychotic medication. Since stabilizing medications have been for epilepsy in children for decades, most of these medications are considered safe. It is not uncommon for bipolar children to experience delusions and hallucinations but should not be considered schizophrenic. Antidepressants should not be considered for childhood bipolar disorder.

The Risk of Antidepressant Medications

Because bipolar children are often hypersensitive to medications, antidepressants can easily cause a manic reaction. For this reason, doctors are discouraged from prescribing antidepressants to children. Because childhood onset bipolar disorder can be misdiagnosed as childhood depression, a specialist should test children who react negatively to antidepressant medication.

Light Therapy for Childhood Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar children also have delayed circadian rhythms. Almost all bipolar children have an extremely difficult time waking up in the morning and they feel more energetic in the afternoon or evening. As a result of their delayed rhythm, their body clock produces the wrong hormones at the wrong time of day, contributing to the symptoms of depression. Specialized light therapy has been shown to be the most effective way to reset circadian rhythms. Light therapy not only restores a proper sleep/wake cycle, but acts as a safe anti depressant as well. For more on light therapy and depression, click here.

Light Therapy & Bipolar Children

Because light therapy poses no long-term negative side effects, it is also recommended for children. One of the more accurate works on childhood bipolar disorder, The Bipolar Child, recommends light therapy as a first line treatment. Several published studies now recommend light therapy in treating bipolar disorders.

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