Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCopingBipolar Disorder in Children
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Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
Bipolar Disorder in Children
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There are two main types of bipolar disorders: bipolar I and bipolar II. According to theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, bipolar I disorder involves episodes of severemaniaand often depression. Bipolar II disorder involves a less severe form of mania called hypomania.
Verywell / Hugo Lin
Despite the major difference when it comes to mania in the two types of bipolar disorder, there are quite a few similarities insymptoms.
Depressive Episodes
In bipolar I disorder, a major depressive episode (one or more)usuallyoccurs, but it is not required. Bipolar II disorder involves one or more major depressive episodes. Both disorders may include periods ofeuthymia, which is a term used to describe emotionally stable periods.
Common symptoms that occur in a major depressive episode include:
If you or a loved one are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you or a loved one are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Mania
Manic episodes last at least seven days. An individual experiencing a manic episode may experience:
During a manic episode, individuals may engage in reckless behavior—for example, risky sexual behavior, excessive spending, orimpulsive decision-making.
Sometimes people assume a “manic episode” means someone turns into a “maniac.” That’s not true. It’s also important to note that experiencing mania does not automatically mean a person will become violent or dangerous.
Hypomania
An individual experiencing ahypomanic episodemay experience similar symptoms to those of a manic episode, but their functioning won’t be markedly impaired. Many individuals who experience hypomania associated with bipolar II enjoy the increased energy and decreased need for sleep.
An episode of hypomania does not escalate to a point thata person needs hospitalization, which may happen with a person experiencing mania—especially if they are becoming a danger to others and/or themselves.
Are There Different Types of Bipolar Disorder?
Other contributing factors include abnormalities in a person’s brain circuitry, irregularities in neurotransmitters, and environmental factors such aschildhood traumaor abuse.
Understanding the Causes of Bipolar Disorder
Whendiagnosing bipolar disorder(regardless of the type), a mental health clinician must rule out other illnesses such asschizoaffective disorder,schizophrenia, delusional disorder,schizophreniform disorder, or other specified or unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder that may share similar symptoms.
Bipolar disorder cannot be diagnosed like other illnesses where a blood test, X-ray, or physical exam can provide a definitive diagnosis. The diagnosis is based on a set of criteria that a person must meet in order to be considered bipolar.
An informed diagnosis would likely include specific tests to exclude other physical contributions to the bipolar symptoms. This may involve a drug screen, imaging tests (CT scan or MRI of the brain), electroencephalogram (EEG), and a full battery of diagnostic blood tests. A doctor will also ask you questions, and you should do your best to work closely with a healthcare team to confirm a diagnosis and find the right treatment plan for you.
Bipolar Disorder Discussion GuideGet our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment.Download PDFSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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Understanding Autism and Bipolar Disorder
Treatment of bipolar I disorderis highly individualized and based on the types and severity of symptoms a person is experiencing.
Mood stabilizers are the core of the treatment process, and other agents are often used, such as:
In more severe cases,electroconvulsive therapy(ECT) may be used to help relieve mania or severe depression.
Both Types Should Be Properly Treated
Since hypomania that occurs in bipolar II is less severe than the mania that occurs in bipolar I disorder, bipolar II is often described as “milder” than bipolar I—but this is not completely accurate. Certainly, people with bipolar I can have more serious symptoms during mania, but hypomania is still a serious condition that can have life-changing consequences and therefore, should be properly addressed.
Proper treatment should be pursued for all types of bipolar disorders, and you should work closely with your healthcare team to figure out the best treatment for you.
Differentiating Subtypes of Bipolar Disorder
As with many mental health conditions, bipolar disorder is associated with a certain stigma in society, which may makecoping with the conditionmore difficult for you or a loved one.Know that stigma very often develops because of lack of knowledge.
Whether or not someone with bipolar faces stigma directly, know that the best way to cope with the condition is to connect with others who are experiencing it and get professional help. You can also fight stigma to help you cope better, and learn more aboutyour rights.
What Is Therapy for Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder can occur in kids of any age.It’s important for parents and caregivers to be aware of the unique signs—they should pay attention to a child’s functioning, feelings, and any family history of the disorder. With a timely diagnosis, a treatment plan for symptom management can be better established.
A Word From Verywell
Bipolar disorder is a complex disorder. If you are worried that you or a loved one has symptoms of a bipolar episode, seek medical attention for a proper evaluation.
Although bipolar disorder is not curable, it is treatable. With the right medication and support, symptoms can be managed to the point where quality of life isn’t drastically affected.
12 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vieta E, Berk M, Schulze TG, et al.Bipolar disorders.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2018;4:18008. Published 2018 Mar 8. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2018.8Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes on the national survey on drug use and health.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.DSM-5 changes: Implications for child serious emotional disturbance.Datto C, Pottorf WJ, Feeley L, Laporte S, Liss C.Bipolar II compared with bipolar I disorder: baseline characteristics and treatment response to quetiapine in a pooled analysis of five placebo-controlled clinical trials of acute bipolar depression.Ann Gen Psychiatry.2016;15:9. doi:10.1186/s12991-016-0096-0Culpepper L.The diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder: decision-making in primary care.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3). doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01609National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Barnett JH, Smoller JW.The genetics of bipolar disorder.Neuroscience. 2009;164(1):331-43. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.03.080American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.Singh A, Kar SK.How electroconvulsive therapy works?: Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms.Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2017;15(3):210–221. doi:10.9758/cpn.2017.15.3.210Maina G, Albert U, Bellodi L, et al.Health-related quality of life in euthymic bipolar disorder patients: differences between bipolar I and II subtypes.J Clin Psychiatry.2007;68(2):207-12. doi:10.4088/JCP.v68n0205Rössler W.The stigma of mental disorders: A millennia-long history of social exclusion and prejudices.EMBO Rep. 2016;17(9):1250–1253. doi:10.15252/embr.201643041Birmaher B.Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents.Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2013;18(3). doi:10.1111/camh.12021Additional ReadingGhouse AA, Sanches M, Zunta-soares G, Swann AC, Soares JC.Overdiagnosis of bipolar disorder: a critical analysis of the literature.ScientificWorldJournal.2013;2013:297087. doi:10.1155/2013/297087Swartz HA, Thase ME.Pharmacotherapy for the treatment of acute bipolar II depression: current evidence.J Clin Psychiatry.2011;72(3):356-66. doi:10.4088/JCP.09r05192gre
12 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vieta E, Berk M, Schulze TG, et al.Bipolar disorders.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2018;4:18008. Published 2018 Mar 8. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2018.8Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes on the national survey on drug use and health.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.DSM-5 changes: Implications for child serious emotional disturbance.Datto C, Pottorf WJ, Feeley L, Laporte S, Liss C.Bipolar II compared with bipolar I disorder: baseline characteristics and treatment response to quetiapine in a pooled analysis of five placebo-controlled clinical trials of acute bipolar depression.Ann Gen Psychiatry.2016;15:9. doi:10.1186/s12991-016-0096-0Culpepper L.The diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder: decision-making in primary care.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3). doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01609National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Barnett JH, Smoller JW.The genetics of bipolar disorder.Neuroscience. 2009;164(1):331-43. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.03.080American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.Singh A, Kar SK.How electroconvulsive therapy works?: Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms.Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2017;15(3):210–221. doi:10.9758/cpn.2017.15.3.210Maina G, Albert U, Bellodi L, et al.Health-related quality of life in euthymic bipolar disorder patients: differences between bipolar I and II subtypes.J Clin Psychiatry.2007;68(2):207-12. doi:10.4088/JCP.v68n0205Rössler W.The stigma of mental disorders: A millennia-long history of social exclusion and prejudices.EMBO Rep. 2016;17(9):1250–1253. doi:10.15252/embr.201643041Birmaher B.Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents.Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2013;18(3). doi:10.1111/camh.12021Additional ReadingGhouse AA, Sanches M, Zunta-soares G, Swann AC, Soares JC.Overdiagnosis of bipolar disorder: a critical analysis of the literature.ScientificWorldJournal.2013;2013:297087. doi:10.1155/2013/297087Swartz HA, Thase ME.Pharmacotherapy for the treatment of acute bipolar II depression: current evidence.J Clin Psychiatry.2011;72(3):356-66. doi:10.4088/JCP.09r05192gre
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Vieta E, Berk M, Schulze TG, et al.Bipolar disorders.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2018;4:18008. Published 2018 Mar 8. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2018.8Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes on the national survey on drug use and health.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.DSM-5 changes: Implications for child serious emotional disturbance.Datto C, Pottorf WJ, Feeley L, Laporte S, Liss C.Bipolar II compared with bipolar I disorder: baseline characteristics and treatment response to quetiapine in a pooled analysis of five placebo-controlled clinical trials of acute bipolar depression.Ann Gen Psychiatry.2016;15:9. doi:10.1186/s12991-016-0096-0Culpepper L.The diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder: decision-making in primary care.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3). doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01609National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Barnett JH, Smoller JW.The genetics of bipolar disorder.Neuroscience. 2009;164(1):331-43. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.03.080American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.Singh A, Kar SK.How electroconvulsive therapy works?: Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms.Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2017;15(3):210–221. doi:10.9758/cpn.2017.15.3.210Maina G, Albert U, Bellodi L, et al.Health-related quality of life in euthymic bipolar disorder patients: differences between bipolar I and II subtypes.J Clin Psychiatry.2007;68(2):207-12. doi:10.4088/JCP.v68n0205Rössler W.The stigma of mental disorders: A millennia-long history of social exclusion and prejudices.EMBO Rep. 2016;17(9):1250–1253. doi:10.15252/embr.201643041Birmaher B.Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents.Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2013;18(3). doi:10.1111/camh.12021
Vieta E, Berk M, Schulze TG, et al.Bipolar disorders.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2018;4:18008. Published 2018 Mar 8. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2018.8
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes on the national survey on drug use and health.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.DSM-5 changes: Implications for child serious emotional disturbance.
Datto C, Pottorf WJ, Feeley L, Laporte S, Liss C.Bipolar II compared with bipolar I disorder: baseline characteristics and treatment response to quetiapine in a pooled analysis of five placebo-controlled clinical trials of acute bipolar depression.Ann Gen Psychiatry.2016;15:9. doi:10.1186/s12991-016-0096-0
Culpepper L.The diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder: decision-making in primary care.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3). doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01609
National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.
Barnett JH, Smoller JW.The genetics of bipolar disorder.Neuroscience. 2009;164(1):331-43. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.03.080
American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.
Singh A, Kar SK.How electroconvulsive therapy works?: Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms.Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2017;15(3):210–221. doi:10.9758/cpn.2017.15.3.210
Maina G, Albert U, Bellodi L, et al.Health-related quality of life in euthymic bipolar disorder patients: differences between bipolar I and II subtypes.J Clin Psychiatry.2007;68(2):207-12. doi:10.4088/JCP.v68n0205
Rössler W.The stigma of mental disorders: A millennia-long history of social exclusion and prejudices.EMBO Rep. 2016;17(9):1250–1253. doi:10.15252/embr.201643041
Birmaher B.Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents.Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2013;18(3). doi:10.1111/camh.12021
Ghouse AA, Sanches M, Zunta-soares G, Swann AC, Soares JC.Overdiagnosis of bipolar disorder: a critical analysis of the literature.ScientificWorldJournal.2013;2013:297087. doi:10.1155/2013/297087Swartz HA, Thase ME.Pharmacotherapy for the treatment of acute bipolar II depression: current evidence.J Clin Psychiatry.2011;72(3):356-66. doi:10.4088/JCP.09r05192gre
Ghouse AA, Sanches M, Zunta-soares G, Swann AC, Soares JC.Overdiagnosis of bipolar disorder: a critical analysis of the literature.ScientificWorldJournal.2013;2013:297087. doi:10.1155/2013/297087
Swartz HA, Thase ME.Pharmacotherapy for the treatment of acute bipolar II depression: current evidence.J Clin Psychiatry.2011;72(3):356-66. doi:10.4088/JCP.09r05192gre
Julia Childs Heyl, MSW
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