Since bipolar disorder is a serious illness of the brain, its symptoms can be quite powerful and difficult to ignore, even in children.  Children can get easily excited and may be happy or sad within the same minute or few minutes.  However, bipolar disorder still manifests as an unusual mood, beyond that which is normally seen.  For example, a child is sad for no apparent reason and then becomes euphoric, also for no apparent reason.  Activity that is so much more that is usually seen can also be a cause for concern.  Adults can manifest bipolar disorder symptoms differently from children.  Adults may have infrequent mood changes, while children are unable to maintain their episodes of mania and depression.  There could be a number of reasons for this difference including a child’s inherent nature of not wanting to stick to a particular activity for long periods of time.  Also, a child may be trying to make sense of the condition and this could be triggering the frequent switching back and forth from mania to depression.

Bipolar depression in children is also known as early onset bipolar disorder. It can be an unbearable illness to manage without treatment as it affects the child’s functions in school, at home or in an attempt to play.  Episodes of mania can also be dangerous for the child with bipolar disorder and those around them.

Both men and women can have bipolar disorder and statistics does not show that the disorder favours one sex over the other.  Despite the seeming equality of presence of the disorder in both sexes, some women may experience more symptoms during occurrences like pregnancy or having a baby.  In these circumstances, symptoms of depression are more prevalent than those of mania.

Although information and research about bipolar disorder is still ongoing, the precise reason for the occurrence of the disorder in individuals is unclear.  Genetics can play a role.  There have also been studies related to the chemical balance of the brain and how this contributes to bipolar disorder.  As a result of the symptoms associated with bipolar disorder, it can be mistaken for other illnesses due to similarity in symptoms.  For example, people with mental illnesses like schizophrenia can be mistakenly diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder include:

• Depression: individuals experience a depression that lasts for lengthy periods of time.  There is also a lack of interest or pleasure in events that should normally bring joy or relaxation
• Hypomania: This is a sub-mania state that exhibits an energy level somewhat above depression.  It includes an irritable mood with some bouts of euphoria.
• Mania: This can be a dangerous symptom of bipolar disorder as the individual has extremely high energy levels.  A person showing signs of mania appears to need less sleep, shows increased talkativeness, exhibits a feeling of grandeur and psychosis

When manic symptoms occur, care must be taken to avoid injury.  Depression states should also be closely monitored.

Mania: this is a cluster of symptoms and can exhibit itself as extreme mood-swings beyond that which is considered normal.  Mania can include disproportionate responses, intense disruption, mayhem and increased energy.  Mania can also be characterised by restlessness, no or minimal fatigue, incoherent speech, inappropriate humour or thinking, hyper-sexuality, hostility, paranoia, delusions and hallucinations.

Depression: this symptom of bipolar disorder can occur as an extreme mood-swing is coming to an end.  After the intense energy-rush, disruptions and restlessness, people with bipolar disorder can get depressed and more dysfunctional.  In this state, sufferers can be extremely emotional, preoccupied with death or thoughts about death.  Some people may experience physical changes, be disorganized, have memory problems and have an inability to concentrate.

Mania and depression could also occur intermittently in successive sessions with other symptoms including an onset of pessimism, indifference, irritability and anger.

Suicide: this can be a warning sign of bipolar disorder.  People with bipolar disorder may experience a sense of crisis, in which suicide may see suicide or harming themselves as the only way out.  The thought of being in control by doing something drastic may provide an idea of depression being lifted.  Thus, people with bipolar disorder need to be managed and monitored appropriately.

There are various behavioural indicators that can provide hints of potential suicidal tendencies including hoarding medication, getting a weapon, writing a will or putting other affairs in order, staying away from people or living like the next day will not matter and making strange morbid comments or straight-forward comments about death.

Children can exhibit different bipolar disorder symptoms from adults.  Where there is a family history of depression or bipolar disorders, children may be more prone to developing early-onset of the bipolar disorder.  However, medical diagnosis is extremely important.

Symptoms:

1. Very good moods bordering on euphoria
2. Getting extremely upset with everything around him
3. An increased level of activity, restlessness and energy
4. No powers of concentration
5. Not enough sleep for long periods of time
6. Speaking so fast as to skip words to keep pace with the train of thoughts
7. Too high expectations regarding own abilities
8. Not being able to accept that something is wrong
9. An unnaturally high sex drive
10. Powers of judgment are seriously affected

Bipolar disorder symptoms may be mistaken to be a passing phase where the patient might be treated just like a person taking drugs or excessive alcohol. But there is need to take an aggressive course of action for the treatment of this disorder. No blood test or brain scan can reveal that the patient is suffering from bipolar disorder. It is only the bipolar disorder symptoms and the family history of a person which can take us in the right direction. Since there is no cure for this disorder, a person has to undergo treatment throughout his life in order to lead a normal life.

•    A sudden change in moods, from happy to sad, or from happy to angry with very few triggers.
•    Becoming easily distracted in school, or in life to the point where the patient is unable to concentrate on the task at hand.
•    A loss of energy or a severe feeling of being slowed which can result from the patient being depressed. There are many people that fail to associate this loss of energy with depression, but it can be one of the main indicators.
•    Depression that can occur for days or week at a time, combined with periods of high productivity and snap decisions which are referred to as manic episodes.
•    Insomnia or being unable to sleep for nights at a time. There are many patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder that are unable to sleep and this can worsen the symptoms which are experienced.
•    A loss of interest in the activities which are usually enjoyed and a loss of friends that are usually spent time with.