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Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens

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Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens
Crystal Revis
HCS 245
June 10, 2013
Joan Ralph Webber

Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens
Bipolar disorder is a very common disorder in adults all across the country, with more than 10 million confirmed cases (Webmd, 2013), and even worldwide. For many years, it was thought that only adults could develop the disorder, but now, with new research, studies have shown that the disorder is showing up more and more in teens and children alike. But with anti-depressant medications being made for adults only, the real question is going to be how to treat these teens and children. “Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood and energy. It can also make it hard for someone to carry out day-to-day tasks, such as going to school or hanging out with friends. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time. They can result in damaged relationships, poor school performance, and even suicide. But bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives. Bipolar disorder often develops in a person's late teens or early adult years, but some people have their first symptoms during childhood. At least half of all cases start before age 25 (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2012).” Being diagnosed with ADHD as a child can ultimately make bipolar disorder almost definite in adults. Also, children born to a parent, or even both parents, have a 40-60% higher chance at developing bipolar than those who do not (National Institute For Mental Health, 2010). In 2005, a Norwegian facility started an interdisciplinary research project on the clinical and biological factors associated with ADHD. An extensive international

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