Bipolar Disorder (also known as manic-depression), refers to episodes of mania (or hypomania or mixed states) alternating with clinical depression that typically recur and become more frequent over a significant period of time.

However children with bipolar disorder do not often meet the strict DSM-IV definition. Children with bipolar disorder tend to have rapid-cycling or mixed-cycling. Rapid cycling occurs when the cycles between depression and mania occur quickly, sometimes within the same day or the same hour. When the symptoms of both mania and depression occur simultaneously, mixed cycling occurs.

Bipolar children are often both bullies, and the victims of bullies. They rarely see how their actions result in severe social problems at school, home, and elsewhere. These children are confusing for parents, teachers and other professionals, because bipolar disease is one that cycles. Bipolar children may have periods of sweetness, success, creativity, and other wonderful behaviors. Unfortunately, they may also show behaviors that are also extremely negative. This combination makes parenting, teaching, and counseling these children challenging.

During severe episodes of mania and mixed states, a child may also suffer from symptoms of psychosis. These episodes can be negative (such as thinking their poster on the wall is staring at them angrily) or positive (such as telling people that a rock band is coming to his or her birthday party).

Family and friends of the parents of bipolar children rarely understand how difficult things can get when the child is having severe symptoms. This may lead to strained relations with the friends and families of the parents of the affected child.

Leading Depression Treatment Solutions
Antidepressant Medication Facts
60 Second Online Depression Test
Depression Facts and Statistics