Bipolar Disorder In Children

Bipolar disorder is a stipulation that is often diagnosed only in teens and adults. However, the're rising instances of children and babies being diagnosed as bipolars. As a matter of fact, there are growing up children who're currently being treated for this illness. When mood swings are to be expected as a result of this disorder, it can be quite a challenge for parents and caregivers to take care of a bipolar child.
Understanding bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a medical illness that is characterized by marked changes in temperament, behavior and mood swings. Bipolar disorder is also called as manic depression. It is a rather serious condition but it might be treated through medications and therapy.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder include:
- irritability
- mood swings
- anger or rages
- destructive behavior
- separation anxiety
- melancholia
- no curiosity about play
- insomnia or difficulty in sleeping
- bed wetting
- nightmares
- restlessness and agitation
- extreme elation followed by extreme depression
- agitation
- cravings
- uncontrollable tantrums
The most key of treating and managing bipolar disorder is early diagnosis and intervention. The symptoms of this disorder can appear in infancy and bipolar babies might be checked early by a medical professional so the chasten treatment can be prescribed.
Is bipolar disorder common in babies?
The're no studies yet that will show how frequent the illness is among infants and youngsters. What's known, though, is that only as many as 2% of the adult population in the world have the disorder. It is in addition observed that children who have ADHD (attention deficit disorder) showed symptoms of bipolar as soon as possible in infancy.
Looking after the affairs of mood swings in bipolar babies
It is very important that a particular diagnosis is performed. Is so that any underlying conditions that may be causing the mood swings in the newborn child appears eliminated. This is because in a few cases, bipolar disorder can only be an element of a larger condition. A wrong diagnosis cannot only prevent an infant from getting the assist he/she deserves, his health could also be placed in jeopardy if medications that aren't appropriate for his condition are prescribed.
If bipolar disorder is indeed diagnosed, then it would be easier for the parents and the physician to discuss which types of treatments may be helpful for the child. It's important that parents understand the kind of demands expected from them when in comes to taking care of a bipolar baby. Therapies, medications, sure adjustments in diet and lifestyle, are merely some thing that they have to be mindful of.
Parents should likewise keep records of any improvements or distinct behavior in children throughout prescribed treatment period. During consultations with the physician, any new observations should be discussed.
Parents should in addition try to obtain updated information regarding bipolar disorder in babies. Apart from on the internet resources, there are likewise professional associations and groups that offer not just news, facts and statistics but also necessary support. Joining on the internet forums can in addition be helpful because many parents who have bipolar babies on their own frequently offer their private proactive advice, something that inexperienced parents will see valuable.
There's no reason why a bipolar baby suffering from mood swings at an adolescent age cannot age and become a healthy diet and regular exercise, fully functional adult. The chief is for parents to ensure early diagnosis and treatment and sufficient medical, emotional and physical support for the infant.

Dakota Anderson has been writing articles online for nearly 3 years now.

How Alcohol Causes Depression

It has been proven that alcohol causes depression. Depression is ongoing feelings of hopelessness, sadness, unhappiness, and causes a bleak outlook on life. And when you are suffering from depression you can't be at the top of your game. It is hard to function in high gear when you are fatigued and are experiencing a general lack of interest, also caused by depression. It may also be important to point out here that depression causes anxiety. So many who suffer from depression will also have episodes of anxiety.
Since alcohol is a known depressant, it stands to reason people with depression shouldn't drink. This applies to people suffering from manic depression as well. Studies have shown that doctors miss diagnosing correctly roughly 65% of people who are depressed.
The depression caused by alcohol actually starts with your physical body. First, alcohol lowers the serotonin and norepinephrine levels in your brain. These chemicals are the chemicals that give you your good feelings - a feeling of well being, and they help you to feel normal. The anti-depressant drugs were designed build these chemicals back up. After a long drinking career, since alcohol can take these brain chemicals down to ground zero, it can take a long time for the anti-depressants to bring these brain chemical levels back to where they need to be.
Alcohol also temporarily nullifies the effects of stress hormones. This is why after drinking you feel worse than ever, because alcohol depresses your nervous system and your brain. A study was done that followed people who were only drinking one drink a day and after these people stopped drinking for 3 months, their depression scores improved. And that is only at one drink a day, so it is easy to imagine the impact the kind of volume an alcoholic takes in every day can have.
Alcohol all but wipes out every vitamin in your system after a drinking session. A folic acid deficiency will contribute the brain aging and in older people, dementia. The folic acid deficiency also contributes to overall depression. Further, the alcohol in your system also breaks down and speeds the elimination of antioxidants in your blood. Antioxidants are critically important to our health because antioxidants fight free radicals and free radical damage causes diseases and aging. Our immune system actually creates the antioxidants which then neutralize the free radicals.
Alcohol can activate a gene that has been linked to depression and other mental issues. The result of this activation can cause not only depression, but seizures, and manic depressive episodes as well.
Although the majority of problem drinkers associate depression with their mental and emotional states, the fact is this kind of depression originates in your physical body's response to drinking alcohol.

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Schizophrenia- Facts and Myths

Schizophrenia is one of the least culturally understood mental disorders. For example, a common belief is that schizophrenia means split personality; which it doesn't. The term was originated by Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, in 1911. It actually means "split mind" from the Greek "schizo" meaning split and "phrene" meaning mind. It was created to describe the type of thinking that someone suffering from schizophrenia exhibited, not multiple personalities. The original term for schizophrenia was "dementia praecox" which means "early dementia." This comes from Dr. Emile Kraepelin who was one of the first to recognize the disorder. The name was to distinguish the disorder from late in life mental disorders such as Alzheimer's. The reason for the many technical names for different disorders is that scientists often do not have a full understanding of the causes of mental diseases and can only classify them by symptoms.
The cause of schizophrenia is still unknown, but its affects on the brain are clear in numerous tests, including MRI. So, schizophrenia can be easily diagnosed with the proper equipment. While the cause is still a mystery, there are indications that both genetics and brain chemistry play a role. Another important factor is drug abuse. Drugs like nicotine, marijuana, cocaine and alcohol all have an effect and the abuse of such substances can greatly impede treatment. So, it's important to ensure that schizophrenic patients are kept strictly away from recreational drugs.
Although those with a family history of schizophrenia are more likely to develop it, depression, chronic stress, anxiety and traumatic life events can also trigger the onset of the disorder.
Visual and auditory hallucinations are a feature of schizophrenia, although not in every case. Other significant symptoms are the inability to rationally assess the environment or to rationally understand interactions with other people, which may result in extreme paranoia and lack of trust.
Other symptoms include apathy, poor concentration, withdrawal, difficulty in speaking or movement disorders or a poor ability to express emotions. Nevertheless, it should be kept in mind that other disorders, even very mild ones, can cause some of these symptoms. And so, the symptoms alone do not necessarily signify schizophrenia. People should avoid self-diagnosis. And it should be remembered that one of the hallmarks of schizophrenia is the inability to notice the disorder in oneself. So, if you think that you have schizophrenia, you probably don't. When in doubt, consult a professional.
There are five subtypes of schizophrenia. These are the Paranoid subtype which is typified by delusions of persecution and conspiracy along with auditory hallucinations. Those who suffer from this subtype can often appear normal, or at least what is accepted as normal.
There is Disorganized Schizophrenia which exhibits disorganized thinking and difficulty in performing normal tasks such as bathing and dressing. While symptoms of delusion and hallucination may exist in this subtype, they are not as severe. The other three types are Catatonic, Residual and Undifferentiated.
Disorganized, Catatonic and Residual were all categories originally proposed by Kraepelin.
Diagnosis of schizophrenia usually involves a psychological evaluation including collecting information on the individuals mental health, information on his or her family, understanding the patients medical situation, such as what prescription drugs they might be taking, as well as social and cultural influences. Lab tests are also performed including a complete blood count (CBC), imaging of the brain through MRI and CTs and screening for drugs and alcohol.
Anti-psychotics are presently the best form of treatment, as they help balance neurotransmissions within the brain. But they do have side effects, including weight gain and tremors.
The person diagnosed with schizophrenia will also need the attendance, guidance and understanding of family members if he or she is to get better.

About the Author:
Dr. Tali Shenfield is a child psychologist accredited by The Ontario College of Psychologists. She is an expert in clinical and educational psychology and provides psychological assessment and psychotherapy for clients age 4-20.