The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) states that bipolar disorder can occur in children and adolescents and that 7 percent of children seen at psychiatric facilities fit bipolar disorder by using research standards. Children with bipolar disorder may exhibit symptoms of elated mood, grandiose behaviors, "flight of ideas" (i.e. jumping from topic to topic), decreased need for sleep and hyper-sexuality. There are currently several ongoing studies devoted to how to best treat children with bipolar disorder.

Monitoring

The first goal of treating a child with bipolar disorder is to stop behavior that is dangerous to the child and others and help relieve the child's suffering. Children with bipolar disorder usually need to be treated with medication (see below); however, before a medication is chosen by a physician and the family, there are other components that aid in treatment. Monitoring the child's symptoms and writing them down in a notebook as well as keeping records of each doctor visit and lab test results is critical. Monitoring the child's moods in the form of a "mood chart" may be a great tool for the child's doctor when choosing a medication. Adhering to a consistent routine and bedtime schedule can also be very beneficial to the child.

Medication Options

Three types of drugs most typically used in children with bipolar disorder are lithium; anticonvulsants such as depakote as well as other valproate products; and atypical neuroleptics such as risperidone, olanzapine, ziprasidone, aripiprazole, quetiapine. When deciding on which treatment is best for a child with bipolar disorder, consult with your doctor on the side effects associated with each medication.

Education and Psychotherapy

Educating yourself as well as the child is crucial to understanding the illness - especially for the child so that they can learn to control behavior and manage their symptoms. Psychotherapy is essential for helping the child and the family deal with this frustrating illness. Psychotherapy can be done with a social worker, licensed psychologist, or psychiatrist. Cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and multi-family support groups are critical elements of the treatment process. A new type of therapy called "dialectical behavior therapy" teaches skills to help the patient learn to tolerate and manage their extreme moods. It should be noted that therapy is sometimes not very effective until the patient's moods have been stabilized by medication.

Treatment Considerations

No matter what option is chosen, the effects of the medication must be weighed against the severity of the bipolar disorder as bipolar disorder tends to be more severe in children than in adults. This can be a great strain for children with bipolar disorder since their episodes often last much longer than that of an adult as well. Children with bipolar disorder appear to have a continuous illness that lasts over months and years. That being said the side effects of treatment have to be less severe than the risks of the illness itself.

Source:

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation