What is Bipolar?

Question

I have a 13 year old son and he wont hardly let U get close to him, He screams alot, He wants to be the only child, He was just recently evaluated and they said he is bipolar. How exzactly does this make a child act? Because hes been like this for years.....

Answer 1

Plz...Plz lady!! If a physician said that ur child has a bipolar disorder...then u should pay a great attention and care for him.... this is so, so dangerous and hard-to-cure disease...
here is the explaination of a bipolar disorder...

Bipolar disorder, often referred to as manic-depression in the general literature, is a psychiatric condition defined by periods of extreme mood. These moods can occur on a spectrum ranging from debilitating depression to unbridled mania. Individuals suffering a bipolar disorder generally experience fluid states of mania, hypomania or what is referred to as a mixed states in concert with clinical depression. These clinical states typically alternate with a normal range of mood, which is termed euthymia. Bipolar disorder can range in severity from a mild annoyance to a serious lifelong disability.

There are many variations of this disorder. Moods can change quickly (4 or more times in one year) or more slowly. In psychiatric terms, this is called rapid cycling or slow cycling, respectively. Ultrarapid cycling, where moods change several times per week, is very rare. These mood patterns are associated with distress and disruption, and a relatively high risk of suicide.

Bipolar disorder is usually treated with medications and/or therapy or counseling.

As well as being linked to disability, studies have suggested a correlation between creativity and bipolar disorder, although the relationship between the two is unclear. Studies have also indicated increased striving for, and sometimes obtaining, goals and achievements more generally; in other words, many with bipolar disorder tend to be more driven, extremely goal oriented, and hard working.


U can see details from the following link

Answer 2

Hi there, I've been suffering from bipolar for a long time, maybe years, but I only got a diagnosis about a week ago! Nobody else in my family has it, they all have recurrent depression instead. It's a relief to get the diagnosis in a way, because I know that it's the Bipolar causing my mood swings and not just ''me being crazy''. I've been started on a low dose of Zyprexa, I think my psychiatrist intends to add more medication in a couple of week's time. I think at the time he thought I was manic, because when he asked how I would rate my mood I said 'low side of normal' and then his eyebrows raised and he looked shocked and said 'you mean you get a lot higher than this?' and I went 'hell yeah!' and laughed, and that's when he put me on the Zyprexa. I'm a bit depressed at the minute though, and I can't manage to make myself leave the house, get dressed or get something to eat... Anyway, at the moment I'm not functioning well at all, but it's kind of a relief to know there are other bipolar people out there that are coping and living a normal life. I hope that will be me soon too. Maybe once I'm on the right medication. All the best. <3 x

Answer 3

Try reading the book His Bright Light: A Story of Nick Traina. Danielle Steel wrote it about her deceased son who was bipolar. It mainly just tells his story, but he also showed symptoms when he was a young child.

Also, check out www.bipolar.com.

If you want any more information, just type in bipolar or bipolar disorder into your search engine of choice.

There is a lot of information.

I wish you and your son well. It will not be easy, but you and your son can make it through this.

Answer 4

In kids and teens, it's hard to clearly identify episodes of mania or depression.

"The clinical presentation of childhood bipolar disorder is variable but includes a waxing and waning course, worsening disruptive behavior, moodiness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, impulsivity, hyperactivity and decreased concentration. Episodically they experience short attention span, low frustration tolerance, explosive anger followed by periods of guilt, depression and declining academic performance."
http://www.bipolarhome.org/children.html

Here is a GREAT site for understanding more about bipolar d/o in children and teens:
http://www.bpkids.org/

Hope this helps, and take care.

Answer 5

Bipolar disorder is a manic and depressive disorder (not a disease) I have some refrences that can better help you.

http://www.bipolar.com/

for adolescents
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolarupdate.cfm

also a very very very good book to get is the

The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know
David J. Miklowitz, David J. Miklowitz

Answer 6

This illness is called manic depressive illness, common in young children.
Effects are : irritable moods that are disruptive to daily living, changes in sleep and appetite, difficulty with concentration or inappropriate social behavior.

I suggest you take him to psychiatrist, they will be able to tell you what exactly are the effects accordingly (after medical tests) and will suggest what treatment can be given.

Answer 7

bi-polar is defined as shifts in behavior, extreme highs (manic)and extreme depression (depressive), which is bi-polar. have you had him tesated for autism? the lack of contact and the screaming are classic. i don't know about the need for singular attention. it's worth looking into and always try to get a 2nd opinion

Answer 8

Yeah. It's when someone will be like really happy and bubbly one minute then they'll, all of the sudden, be really sad and depressed.
I dated a bipolar guy one time.
It wasn't fun...

Answer 9

some one with depression Anxiety, different kinds of moods.

Answer 10

i think it has something to do with uncontrollable emotions. like he can be mad one minute but happy the next, like a light switch