Challenges In Raising A Bipolar Child
It is hard enough for parents to raise a normal kid in these times.
But, parents who have kids with bipolar disorder have it especially tough.
Most bipolar diagnosis occur with adults.
That is because, until relatively recently, it was thought that children could not have the disorder.
Further studies, however, proved that assumption to be incorrect.
And, as a result of this incorrect assumption, many children have mistakenly been diagnosed as having ADHD when what they really have is early onset bipolar disorder.
The unpredictable mood swings that accompany this disorder can stress parents to the point where they don't know who to turn to.
One moment, the child can be smiling and laughing, and in a generally playful mood.
Then, within only a few seconds, he could be screaming at the top of his lungs having a rage attack.
The parents of these children have the hope that their child will eventually outgrow their behavior.
But most are destined to be disappointed as the behavior not only continues unabated, but oftentimes escalates into even more extreme behavior.
Many times, strangers will attribute a child's unruly behavior to poor parenting.
And, in some cases, that is certainly true.
But in the case of parents with bipolar children, parenting is not the issue.
The issue is bipolar disease and what treatments are available to help the kid through it.
As far as can be ascertained, bipolar is an inherited disease.
If one or both parents have it, the chances that a child will exhibit bipolar behavior is increased.
Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depressive illness or manic depressive syndrome.
And, if your child has it, sometimes he will be up and sometimes he will be down.
The moods will come and go without warning and each mood can last for an indeterminate time frame.
When he is up, he is said to be in the mania period.
When he is down, he is said to be in the depressive period.
And, even though the sudden change in behavior can be very disorienting for the parents of the child, it is nothing compared to what the child himself is going through.
Every child goes through ups and down as a natural result of simply being children.
If, however, you notice extreme mood swings in your child on a continuing basis, you should have him looked at and diagnosed by a specialist.
But, parents who have kids with bipolar disorder have it especially tough.
Most bipolar diagnosis occur with adults.
That is because, until relatively recently, it was thought that children could not have the disorder.
Further studies, however, proved that assumption to be incorrect.
And, as a result of this incorrect assumption, many children have mistakenly been diagnosed as having ADHD when what they really have is early onset bipolar disorder.
The unpredictable mood swings that accompany this disorder can stress parents to the point where they don't know who to turn to.
One moment, the child can be smiling and laughing, and in a generally playful mood.
Then, within only a few seconds, he could be screaming at the top of his lungs having a rage attack.
The parents of these children have the hope that their child will eventually outgrow their behavior.
But most are destined to be disappointed as the behavior not only continues unabated, but oftentimes escalates into even more extreme behavior.
Many times, strangers will attribute a child's unruly behavior to poor parenting.
And, in some cases, that is certainly true.
But in the case of parents with bipolar children, parenting is not the issue.
The issue is bipolar disease and what treatments are available to help the kid through it.
As far as can be ascertained, bipolar is an inherited disease.
If one or both parents have it, the chances that a child will exhibit bipolar behavior is increased.
Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depressive illness or manic depressive syndrome.
And, if your child has it, sometimes he will be up and sometimes he will be down.
The moods will come and go without warning and each mood can last for an indeterminate time frame.
When he is up, he is said to be in the mania period.
When he is down, he is said to be in the depressive period.
And, even though the sudden change in behavior can be very disorienting for the parents of the child, it is nothing compared to what the child himself is going through.
Every child goes through ups and down as a natural result of simply being children.
If, however, you notice extreme mood swings in your child on a continuing basis, you should have him looked at and diagnosed by a specialist.
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