While bipolar disorder often first manifests in the teen years or early adulthood, it can also develop in children. Identifying and treating bipolar disorder in children and teens presents unique challenges for parents, caregivers, and mental health professionals.
Bipolar disorder is a complex illness with no single, easily pinpointed cause. Instead, experts believe it arises from a complex interaction of biological vulnerabilities and environmental triggers.
While mania or hypomania often get the focus, depression is a significant and often debilitating aspect of bipolar disorder. Depressive episodes in bipolar disorder can be profound and go beyond ordinary sadness or feeling down.
Manic and hypomanic episodes are the hallmark of bipolar disorder. While these elevated states might initially feel positive or even exhilarating, they have the potential to disrupt a person’s life, relationships, and overall well-being.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by significant shifts in mood, energy levels, and behavior. These shifts are far more intense than typical mood fluctuations experienced by most people.