Bipolar disorder is a serious yet treatable illness. It is one of the very many mental disorders that is quite common nowadays. It can greatly affect a person’s vocational and social development since the disorder can significantly cause a change in a person’s behavior due to the serious psychological symptoms. In America alone, there are more than 2 million people who are living with the case of a bipolar disorder, so there is really no denying its presence. It can occur in childhood but the peak years are during late adolescence and early adulthood.
How common is Bipolar in Children?
The onset of bipolar disorder prior to the age of ten can be estimated to about 0.3 ” 0.5% of all the people affected with the disorder. This is according to studies. Considered controversial and quite rare is the diagnosis of bipolar in children. However some case reviews even suggest a prevalence rate of bipolar in children is higher than the figure given above. From the year 1994 to 2003, the number of kids diagnosed has increased 40-fold. It continues to rise even at this time. The age of seven is the new age where recent studies have suggested bipolar has hit. There are more common cases here 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 adults 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.
The symptoms of bipolar are different in adults than in children, which presents a diagnostic challenge to the professionals in the field of mental health. Bipolar in adults have predictable patterns of symptoms, unlike in bipolar disorder children that very often exhibit explosive outburst and irritable moods. Also, bipolar kids may experience the cycles of manic-depressive far more rapidly compared to adult cases.
More often than not, bipolar disorders in children may be overlooked due that the fact that some of the symptoms can mimic other symptoms of mental disorders such as the ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Sometimes, bipolar even co-exists with ADHD.
In adults, bipolar is often not recognized as an illness because it can mask the symptoms of postpartum psychosis, postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and substance abuse. Bipolar must be carefully managed throughout the life of the person since it is a long-term disorder.
Because of the possible cases that bipolar can be overlooked since it has similar symptoms like other mental disorders, it is necessary to be knowledgeable enough with the disorder. Since in some cases it tends to run in families, then if the symptoms manifest, it is wise to consult a psychologist at once. Bipolar disorder is a serious mental disorder since it is one of the reasons for people to commit suicide. If diagnosed early and with proper management, bipolar has a good prognosis and can easily be treated.