ADD Is A Gift

Bipolar Disorder can now be diagnosed in children, due to the advances in medicine today. It was thought before that the disorder only started from as early as adolescence to adults. Identifications tests are now being used to detect this disorder in childhood, which means that treatment can begin at an earlier age.

A child that is diagnosed early has a much better chance of getting treatment for their symptoms. They are able to get help to cope with the problems of the illness, so that stability can be achieved and realise when they are as well as they can be. As they get older they will be more self aware of their disorder and be more well adjusted as adults. The right treatment will enable them to lead a normal life as their illness is controlled.

Those children already diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in the United States have been found to be significantly more likely to develop the disorder. There are children and adolescents who already suffer from relapsing bouts of depression, which could indicate early signs of bipolar disorder, although they have not experienced a manic episode yet.

If more studies are conducted in medicine, the more we would be able to identify how common this disorder is surfacing amongst the younger generation.

The characteristics of the mental illness of Bipolar disorder is by depressive episodes and mania (or extreme euphoria). There are variations to this order in children compared with that of adults. Children will generally alter in mood constantly with rapid cycles of depression and mania. These rapid mood cycles give rise to ongoing irritability, with periods inbetween where they will feel well.

Bipolar Disorder is diagnosed in adults by using DSM-IV criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV). It is difficult to use this to diagnose children as detailed criteria has been established yet.

Children who are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder are commonly found to have the following behaviour patterns:

1. overanxious at being apart from family even during a short time
2. apathy, depression, passiveness
3. problems with authority
4. wetting the bed
5. craving for carbohydrates and sweet things
6. experiencing delusions and hallucinations
7. insomnia
8. irritability
9. a fast change of mood over a few hours or days
10. a temper that is destructive extensively
11. grandiose ideas
12. night fears, ranting
13. inappropriate sexual behaviour
14. very talkative with fanciful ideas

Whilst a child is an infant, signs of the disorder are recogniseable. Once a child is later diagnosed, parents have cited behaviour which has been erratic such as unusual clinginess and far reaching tantrums like seizures.

Children or Paediatric Bipolar Syndrome is classified into four sections just like the adults: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia, and Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

A patient with Bipolar I has episodes of serious depression and pychotic manic episodes which switch from one to the other.

A patient with Bipolar II switches from periods of hypomania to episodes of depression. A person can be highly creative with hypomania. With hypomania a person can feel more elated or quite irritable, and also they find that they have more mental energy as well as physical.

Cyclothymia is a milder mood disorder where there are recurrent mood disturbances.

The last is Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is where a doctor is unable to classify a disorder under any of the three as mentioned before classifications. A person experiences mood swings like a manic depressive but there are also other symptoms which cannot be categorised as either Bipolar I, Bipolar II or Cyclothymia.

If a child is going through a worrying time, and their welfare becomes a concern, the parents will want to seek professional help. This is necessary particularly if a child starts to talk about suicide. A doctor will refer your child to a psychiatrist, and this can be done as an emergency case if necessary, so the disorder can be dealt with and treated immediately.

It is a good idea for any adult who has children and suspect they may have some kind of disorder, to note their behaviour in a diary, for example, to keep a record of how the child behaves, their speech, any strange activity and their sleep patterns. This is important and will help any doctor to evaluate your child and prescribe the correct treatment. Your observations could help with a quick diagnosis.

Your child can be helped with the right course of medication, psychotherapy to include the child and family, awareness of the disorder, a good diet for nutrition, noting the symptoms and behaviour, daily exercise which aids in getting good sleep and coping mechanisms for stress.

By the parents and medical professionals working together, the best care can be given in treating your child. With the family getting involved throughout the treatment plan, this will help the children immensely. They are reassured that you as parents are by their side with all the love and support you can give, which will lessen recurring episodes, the incidences and the intensity of any symptoms by recognising them before they get any worse by knowing what plan of action to take. Community help is also available to help the individual and family with extra support.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/14-symptoms-of-bipolar-disorder-in-children-how-to-cope-with-it-739494.html

Bipolar Disorder can now be diagnosed in children, due to the advances in medicine today. It was thought before that the disorder only started from as early as adolescence to adults. Identifications tests are now being used to detect this disorder in childhood, which means that treatment can begin at an earlier age.

A child that is diagnosed early has a much better chance of getting treatment for their symptoms. They are able to get help to cope with the problems of the illness, so that stability can be achieved and realise when they are as well as they can be. As they get older they will be more self aware of their disorder and be more well adjusted as adults. The right treatment will enable them to lead a normal life as their illness is controlled.

Those children already diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in the United States have been found to be significantly more likely to develop the disorder. There are children and adolescents who already suffer from relapsing bouts of depression, which could indicate early signs of bipolar disorder, although they have not experienced a manic episode yet.

If more studies are conducted in medicine, the more we would be able to identify how common this disorder is surfacing amongst the younger generation.

The characteristics of the mental illness of Bipolar disorder is by depressive episodes and mania (or extreme euphoria). There are variations to this order in children compared with that of adults. Children will generally alter in mood constantly with rapid cycles of depression and mania. These rapid mood cycles give rise to ongoing irritability, with periods inbetween where they will feel well.

Bipolar Disorder is diagnosed in adults by using DSM-IV criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV). It is difficult to use this to diagnose children as detailed criteria has been established yet.

Children who are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder are commonly found to have the following behaviour patterns:

1. overanxious at being apart from family even during a short time
2. apathy, depression, passiveness
3. problems with authority
4. wetting the bed
5. craving for carbohydrates and sweet things
6. experiencing delusions and hallucinations
7. insomnia
8. irritability
9. a fast change of mood over a few hours or days
10. a temper that is destructive extensively
11. grandiose ideas
12. night fears, ranting
13. inappropriate sexual behaviour
14. very talkative with fanciful ideas

Whilst a child is an infant, signs of the disorder are recogniseable. Once a child is later diagnosed, parents have cited behaviour which has been erratic such as unusual clinginess and far reaching tantrums like seizures.

Children or Paediatric Bipolar Syndrome is classified into four sections just like the adults: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia, and Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

A patient with Bipolar I has episodes of serious depression and pychotic manic episodes which switch from one to the other.

A patient with Bipolar II switches from periods of hypomania to episodes of depression. A person can be highly creative with hypomania. With hypomania a person can feel more elated or quite irritable, and also they find that they have more mental energy as well as physical.

Cyclothymia is a milder mood disorder where there are recurrent mood disturbances.

The last is Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is where a doctor is unable to classify a disorder under any of the three as mentioned before classifications. A person experiences mood swings like a manic depressive but there are also other symptoms which cannot be categorised as either Bipolar I, Bipolar II or Cyclothymia.

If a child is going through a worrying time, and their welfare becomes a concern, the parents will want to seek professional help. This is necessary particularly if a child starts to talk about suicide. A doctor will refer your child to a psychiatrist, and this can be done as an emergency case if necessary, so the disorder can be dealt with and treated immediately.

It is a good idea for any adult who has children and suspect they may have some kind of disorder, to note their behaviour in a diary, for example, to keep a record of how the child behaves, their speech, any strange activity and their sleep patterns. This is important and will help any doctor to evaluate your child and prescribe the correct treatment. Your observations could help with a quick diagnosis.

Your child can be helped with the right course of medication, psychotherapy to include the child and family, awareness of the disorder, a good diet for nutrition, noting the symptoms and behaviour, daily exercise which aids in getting good sleep and coping mechanisms for stress.

By the parents and medical professionals working together, the best care can be given in treating your child. With the family getting involved throughout the treatment plan, this will help the children immensely. They are reassured that you as parents are by their side with all the love and support you can give, which will lessen recurring episodes, the incidences and the intensity of any symptoms by recognising them before they get any worse by knowing what plan of action to take. Community help is also available to help the individual and family with extra support.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/14-symptoms-of-bipolar-disorder-in-children-how-to-cope-with-it-739494.html

My boyfriend has these disorders, and, although he is managing them well, they create problems in his life. I don’t want that for my child, but I don’t know if the disorders are genetic and whether they are guaranteed to be inherited. :C

This is a really tough question with, unfortunately, tough answers. Let me start at the beginning. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD, often abbreviated as ADHD) is usually considered to be a neurobehavioral developmental disorder. It affects about 3 - 5% of children with symptoms starting before seven years of age. Unfortunately ADHD has a strong genetic component.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adhd#Genetic_factors

Bipolar disorder also unfortunately has a strong genetic component. Please read up on both of these sites as I have always found them very accurate. Make healthy decisions for yourself and your future children, and remember that these afflictions are very treatable. Hope this helped.

My niece was diagnosed as ADHD as a child. Now she has a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Does one disease progress into another? Or is it a case of misdiagnosis? Is it hereditary? She has 2 children who act just like she did as a child.

They have similiar symptoms, so it can be difficult to diagnose properly. It can also be a comorbid situation, in which both are present in one individual.

I believe I have both conditions, but very mild Bipolar - most likely 2 or cyclothymia. What many people do not know is that a lot of people with Bipolar disorder often experience an overlapping, mixed mood state, which I am in most of the time.

I also strongly agree with others who have said to stick to a diet free of processed foods, and educate yourself on the importance of choosing wholesome, organic over conventionally grown and raised food, not only for those of us with disorders but anyone who cares about their health. It’s quite an eye-opener.

He was getting very aggresive before we put him on the meds and now it seems as though he is sluggish and wants to sleep all the time, it feels like a win lose situation. can you help? I don’t want to take him off the meds, but some insite on how i can give him more energy.
Ok, so I’m not judged anymore let me tell you a little about how all this came about, my son was very aggressive, i mean to a point where he was pysically hurting others. I have been through 11 daycares where he would only stay a month then they would kick him out. I as a mom in the economy today can’t quit my job, so daycare is the only option for me. I had to help my child.

Discuss this with the doctor who prescribed the medication. Tell him or her exactly what’s going on, what you notice about your son. See if s/he can adjust his medication. With psychiatry it’s a lot of guess work. So you have to watch him and make sure he is getting the proper care.

Bipolar is caused by a chemical imbalance. Most of the time it is diagnosed in ones late teens to early adulthood. Sometimes it can show it’s first symptoms as early at 3. One of my friends sons was diagnosed as having bipolar disorder when he was 7. He was placed on medication. He was doing great in school, had a lot of friends, he was your all around happy and healthy kid. Then his psychiatrist retired. So, my friend had to find another one.

Most of the doctors didn’t believe a child that young could have bipolar. So the first one him to took him off the medication. That was a nightmare. My friend found another doctor and he put the boy on different medication. It helped but not enough. This went on for a year and a half. She finally went to one doctor and demanded her son be put back on the original medications. The doctor was hesitant but put him back on the medication. Now her son is back to his old happy self.

You know your son the best. you should not let doctors, with there book knowledge, or any one else tell you what is best for your son.

You could also ask the pharmacist who fills your prescriptions if sluggishness and the need to sleep is a side effect that will go away eventually.

It is important to understand that diagnosis of ADD/ADHD requires a considerable amount of observation as well as thorough psychological and medical testing. There are also diagnosis made on reporting basis such as self-reporting, reporting from parents, teachers and caregivers. It is common for individuals to be diagnosed with ADD/ADHD by the family physician and without going through much discussion on the condition of the person. Diagnosis have also been made without further testing crucial to clarify that the symptoms are really ADD/ADHD and not other common disorder as well as undesirable behavior.

The condition of being misdiagnosis, be it over diagnosis and under diagnosis have been causing great problems for the medical community even worse for society that has to deal with deviant behavior etc. Proper diagnosis is needed to ensure sanity for all.

Many common disorders can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD resulting in an incorrect diagnosis if adequate care is not taken to compare the symptoms of each individual carefully with every available condition rubric. The symptoms of ADD/ADHD are so obtuse that they can easily be attributed to depression, anxiety, specific learning disabilities, early onset bipolar disorder, Tourette’s Syndrome, food allergies, head injuries, fetal alcohol syndrome, dental problems (such as abscessed root canals or mercury toxicity from fillings), family dynamics issues, grief or trauma, and even simple poor parenting!

There is really not many cases of real ADD/ADHD diagnosis out there.

Due to the fact that other disorders have symptoms very similar to ADD/ADHD, a better method of diagnosis is required to ensure preciseness of diagnosis.

Differential diagnosis is a process that so far has proven correct diagnosis of ADD/ADHD.

Merriam-Webster’s Medical Dictionary defines differential diagnosis as “the distinguishing of a disease or condition from others presenting similar symptoms”. Essentially, the process takes place in the following manner:

Before anything else, the clinician investigates the history and physical examination of the patient so that possible disorders can be list out. This process is called differential diagnosis and it is a clinical decision making. With all the possible disorder listed, related tests are carried out on the patient- Encyclopedia Brittanica.

Perhaps the most important part of the process is when “the clinician then decides what tests to order to help refine the list or identify the specific disease”. In many cases, this refinement never takes place. Conditions such as food allergies, toxicity, and psychological issues are rarely investigated. There are several reasons for this. It is often difficult for a physician to confront a parent with what may be a display of symptoms due to poor parenting, abuse, or familial stress, and many physicians realize that the work involved in teaching everyone involved with someone diagnosed with a nutritional deficiency or toxicity is more than some families will commit to. Additionally, it’s ok to have ADD/ADHD, it’s not ok to be in the early stages of developing a major mental disorder.

Suggesting that parents change their method of parenting can be an impossible mission.

It is hard to accept that a diagnosis points to mental illness.

Most people tend to ignore the necessity of meeting nutritional needs as well as addressing allergies and sensitivities. Not many will make effort to avoid toxic substance either.

It’s easier to medicate.

This simply bailing out using medication is causing dangerous misdiagnosis. Correct diagnosis of ADD/ADHD consist of careful examination on what is causing the symptoms and this may takes up much time, energy and resources.

Yih Ted Jee
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/addadhd-the-often-wrong-usual-suspects-671722.html

It is important to understand that diagnosis of ADD/ADHD requires a considerable amount of observation as well as thorough psychological and medical testing. There are also diagnosis made on reporting basis such as self-reporting, reporting from parents, teachers and caregivers. It is common for individuals to be diagnosed with ADD/ADHD by the family physician and without going through much discussion on the condition of the person. Diagnosis have also been made without further testing crucial to clarify that the symptoms are really ADD/ADHD and not other common disorder as well as undesirable behavior.

The condition of being misdiagnosis, be it over diagnosis and under diagnosis have been causing great problems for the medical community even worse for society that has to deal with deviant behavior etc. Proper diagnosis is needed to ensure sanity for all.

Many common disorders can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD resulting in an incorrect diagnosis if adequate care is not taken to compare the symptoms of each individual carefully with every available condition rubric. The symptoms of ADD/ADHD are so obtuse that they can easily be attributed to depression, anxiety, specific learning disabilities, early onset bipolar disorder, Tourette’s Syndrome, food allergies, head injuries, fetal alcohol syndrome, dental problems (such as abscessed root canals or mercury toxicity from fillings), family dynamics issues, grief or trauma, and even simple poor parenting!

There is really not many cases of real ADD/ADHD diagnosis out there.

Due to the fact that other disorders have symptoms very similar to ADD/ADHD, a better method of diagnosis is required to ensure preciseness of diagnosis.

Differential diagnosis is a process that so far has proven correct diagnosis of ADD/ADHD.

Merriam-Webster’s Medical Dictionary defines differential diagnosis as “the distinguishing of a disease or condition from others presenting similar symptoms”. Essentially, the process takes place in the following manner:

Before anything else, the clinician investigates the history and physical examination of the patient so that possible disorders can be list out. This process is called differential diagnosis and it is a clinical decision making. With all the possible disorder listed, related tests are carried out on the patient- Encyclopedia Brittanica.

Perhaps the most important part of the process is when “the clinician then decides what tests to order to help refine the list or identify the specific disease”. In many cases, this refinement never takes place. Conditions such as food allergies, toxicity, and psychological issues are rarely investigated. There are several reasons for this. It is often difficult for a physician to confront a parent with what may be a display of symptoms due to poor parenting, abuse, or familial stress, and many physicians realize that the work involved in teaching everyone involved with someone diagnosed with a nutritional deficiency or toxicity is more than some families will commit to. Additionally, it’s ok to have ADD/ADHD, it’s not ok to be in the early stages of developing a major mental disorder.

Suggesting that parents change their method of parenting can be an impossible mission.

It is hard to accept that a diagnosis points to mental illness.

Most people tend to ignore the necessity of meeting nutritional needs as well as addressing allergies and sensitivities. Not many will make effort to avoid toxic substance either.

It’s easier to medicate.

This simply bailing out using medication is causing dangerous misdiagnosis. Correct diagnosis of ADD/ADHD consist of careful examination on what is causing the symptoms and this may takes up much time, energy and resources.

Yih Ted Jee
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/addadhd-the-often-wrong-usual-suspects-671722.html

ipolar depression is different than many forms of depression. With a bipolar disorder, a person experiences mania. Mania allows an individual to experience an extreme high that more than likely will impair judgment. Bipolar disorder will affect a person their entire life, but with the right treatment plan, a person can cope with bipolar depression as long as they completely understand this illness.

Bipolar depression usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood. However, at this early stage, it is usually not seen as a psychological problem because it is sporadic. Individuals that have this disorder will have unique patterns to their mood cycles.

These cycles will combine both depression and mania. Once the unique patterns of cycles are identified, treatment can begin. But, until a person’s cycles are seen as being true bipolar disorder, a person can suffer for years needlessly.

Bipolar Disorder in Children

Ever noticed sudden and extreme mood swings in your child? Does he often show high levels of excitement and activity only to be unusually irritable and irrationally angry or enraged the next minute? Are your child’s tantrums exceptionally long and easily provoked?

If you answer yes to all three questions, your child may have a condition known as a bipolar disorder or manic-depression. It is a brain disorder that causes frequent and extreme behavior changes in a person. Until, recently children have not been known to acquire or develop bipolar disorders but several doctors agree that children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD may actually be experiencing the early symptoms of a full-blown bipolar disorder. While considered a very serious condition, this genetically acquired brain disorder is treatable. With early detection and proper diagnosis, monitoring and medication, children with bipolar disorders can lead normal and productive lives.

Symptom of Bipolar Disorder

A person with bipolar disorder usually goes through spells of mania followed by spells of depression. These periods of happiness and sadness are not normal bouts of happiness and sadness that everyone experiences from time to time. Instead, these episodes are intense and may be categorized as severe mood swings. Symptoms of mania are associated with - rapid speech and thoughts, amplified energy, sleep deprivation, elevated mood and inflated confidence, increased physical and mental activity, unwarranted irritability, aggressive behavior, impatience and poor judgment, irresponsible behavior like over spending, making rash decisions, erratic driving, difficulty concentrating and an inflated sense of self-importance.

In adults the phase of mania or depression can last for weeks or months. In children and adolescents, these episodes can be for a shorter period, and a child or teenager can n go back and forth between mania and depression throughout the day. Episodes of mania or depression may happen irregularly and follow a changeable pattern or they may be linked with a manic episode following a period of depression, or vice versa.

Treatment

Failure to diagnose and treat this disorder can prove fatal. Sometimes undiagnosed bipolar disorder patient end up in a psychiatric hospital or residential treatment centers and may attempt suicide. Children and teens with bipolar disorder do not usually show the same patterns of behavior as adults who have a similar condition. A mental health professional has to observe a teen’s behavior carefully before making a diagnosis. For treatment of this disorder a complete history of the person’s past and present experiences is very essential.

Medication and psychotherapy are known to be effective treatments for bipolar disorder. Occasionally, doctors may also use electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Psychotherapy is often used simultaneously with medications. Detecting the patterns leading up to episodes of bipolar disorder and trying to identify triggers for these episodes is very important. Patterns may include use of medications or anything that happens physically or emotionally.

Rich jammes
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/bipolar-disorder-symptoms-treatment-621403.html

ipolar depression is different than many forms of depression. With a bipolar disorder, a person experiences mania. Mania allows an individual to experience an extreme high that more than likely will impair judgment. Bipolar disorder will affect a person their entire life, but with the right treatment plan, a person can cope with bipolar depression as long as they completely understand this illness.

Bipolar depression usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood. However, at this early stage, it is usually not seen as a psychological problem because it is sporadic. Individuals that have this disorder will have unique patterns to their mood cycles.

These cycles will combine both depression and mania. Once the unique patterns of cycles are identified, treatment can begin. But, until a person’s cycles are seen as being true bipolar disorder, a person can suffer for years needlessly.

Bipolar Disorder in Children

Ever noticed sudden and extreme mood swings in your child? Does he often show high levels of excitement and activity only to be unusually irritable and irrationally angry or enraged the next minute? Are your child’s tantrums exceptionally long and easily provoked?

If you answer yes to all three questions, your child may have a condition known as a bipolar disorder or manic-depression. It is a brain disorder that causes frequent and extreme behavior changes in a person. Until, recently children have not been known to acquire or develop bipolar disorders but several doctors agree that children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD may actually be experiencing the early symptoms of a full-blown bipolar disorder. While considered a very serious condition, this genetically acquired brain disorder is treatable. With early detection and proper diagnosis, monitoring and medication, children with bipolar disorders can lead normal and productive lives.

Symptom of Bipolar Disorder

A person with bipolar disorder usually goes through spells of mania followed by spells of depression. These periods of happiness and sadness are not normal bouts of happiness and sadness that everyone experiences from time to time. Instead, these episodes are intense and may be categorized as severe mood swings. Symptoms of mania are associated with - rapid speech and thoughts, amplified energy, sleep deprivation, elevated mood and inflated confidence, increased physical and mental activity, unwarranted irritability, aggressive behavior, impatience and poor judgment, irresponsible behavior like over spending, making rash decisions, erratic driving, difficulty concentrating and an inflated sense of self-importance.

In adults the phase of mania or depression can last for weeks or months. In children and adolescents, these episodes can be for a shorter period, and a child or teenager can n go back and forth between mania and depression throughout the day. Episodes of mania or depression may happen irregularly and follow a changeable pattern or they may be linked with a manic episode following a period of depression, or vice versa.

Treatment

Failure to diagnose and treat this disorder can prove fatal. Sometimes undiagnosed bipolar disorder patient end up in a psychiatric hospital or residential treatment centers and may attempt suicide. Children and teens with bipolar disorder do not usually show the same patterns of behavior as adults who have a similar condition. A mental health professional has to observe a teen’s behavior carefully before making a diagnosis. For treatment of this disorder a complete history of the person’s past and present experiences is very essential.

Medication and psychotherapy are known to be effective treatments for bipolar disorder. Occasionally, doctors may also use electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Psychotherapy is often used simultaneously with medications. Detecting the patterns leading up to episodes of bipolar disorder and trying to identify triggers for these episodes is very important. Patterns may include use of medications or anything that happens physically or emotionally.

Rich jammes
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/bipolar-disorder-symptoms-treatment-621403.html

is being really loud, not sleeping enough and having unrestrained laughter and then crying plus inattention and lack of concentration symptoms of bipolar or ADHD… i am confused because my first doctor said it was bipolar and the second one is claiming its ADHD or depression…please help….

ADHD and bipolar disorder can occur at the same time. Doctors misdiagnose Bipolar disorder as depression because bipolars seek medical help when they’re depressed, not when they’re in a manic state and feeling unnaturally high. DO NOT take antidepressants. They will throw you into a manic state. Stick with the first doctor.