Rapid cycling bipolar disorder occurs in an individual when the symptoms of bipolar disorder occur on an increased frequency. Generally, an individual with this type of disorder experiences episodes of depression or mania four or more times within a twelve month time frame.
It has been estimated that almost six million people within the United States suffer from this disorder, and approximately 10 to 20 percent of those with the disorder have rapid cycling bipolar disorder. Those who have been diagnosed with a bipolar II disorder have an increased chance of experiencing rapid cycling.
The symptoms of rapid cycling bipolar disorder, or any type of bipolar disorder, generally begin to occur when the individual is between the ages of 18 to 24, although these numbers are only an approximation. The two most defining characteristics of the disorder include at least one episode of mania in the patient’s lifetime and frequent, recurring bouts of depression. With bipolar disorder, frequent bouts of depression are interspersed with periods of mania or an elevated mood. Rapid cycling can be particularly difficult to diagnose in individuals. Because these individuals spend the majority of their time depressed, they are often misdiagnosed with simple depression.
When it comes to rapid cycling bipolar disorder, most treatment regimens are aimed towards treating and alleviating the depression. Common drugs that are prescribed for this disorder include Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. However, in a small percentage of individuals, the use of these drugs can often aggravate the symptoms of the rapid cycling. If this occurs, then mood stabilizers will often be prescribed in conjunction with the antidepressants. The most serious side effect of this type of bipolar disorder is suicide. With this disorder, an individual’s chances of attempting suicide increase 10 to 20 percent more than the average person.
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Children and adolescents who suffer from pediatric bipolar disorder tend to exhibit either manic or depression symptoms. Commonly, periods of mania are followed by periods of depression. In most instances, these pediatric bipolar disorder symptoms begin to manifest themselves in a child between the ages of fourteen to eighteen. In almost all cases, the disorder will have fully developed by the time the child reaches the age of twenty five. Common manic symptoms include engaging in risky behaviors, being easily distracted, severe changes in mood, and an unexplainable increase in energy.
The most common depressive symptoms include loss of enjoyment in favorite activities, thoughts of suicide, low energy levels, and major changes in eating or sleeping patterns. If an individual’s child has symptoms matching the aforementioned ones, then he or she may need to take their child to be tested for pediatric bipolar disorder. Although rare, it is not unheard of for these symptoms to develop in children who have not yet reached adolescence.
Although the illness can affect any individual, it most commonly occurs in adolescents and young adults who have a close family member that suffers from major depression or bipolar disorder. Traumatic life events or a familial history of drug and alcohol abuse can also place a child at a higher risk for developing this disorder. Pediatric bipolar disorder can only be accurately diagnosed by a mental health professional.
The treatment of this pediatric bipolar disorder usually involves the consumption of mood stabilizing drugs, such as lithium or valproic acid. It is also common for patients with this disorder to receive psychotherapy. The therapy is critical in enabling a child to understand their disease, adapt to different stress triggers, and to build self esteem and relationships with others. It is a serious illness; however, it need not serve as a deterrent for a child to lead a normal and productive life.
Here are some helpful books on childhood and teen bipolar disorder.
The Bipolar Teen: What You Can Do to Help Your Child and Your Family
What Works for Bipolar Kids: Help and Hope for Parents
by Mani Pavuluri MD PhD.
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Bipolar disorder is overwhelming not only for the child, but also for the friends, family, and loved ones who are close to the patient. Parenting a bipolar child, especially when there are other children in the home, can seem downright impossible at times. However, there are several simple rules that parents can incorporate into their home life to make the process easier.
The first step is to treat your bipolar son or daughter as an individual. Each small accomplishment should be celebrated. This disease should not be allowed to become the child’s identity.
The second step is to encourage the bipolar child to engage in a variety of activities. Bipolar children tend to obsessively fixate on one activity at a time. It might as well be a healthy one. Opening the doors to music, sports, and academics can be beneficial to your son or daughter in numerous ways; however, it is important to restrain from forcing the activities on a child. Music and other art forms are often used as a method of bipolar child treatment.
It is also a beneficial form of bipolar child treatment to assign the child tasks that provide a sense of purpose and self esteem. Simple jobs around the home will increase the self confidence levels of a child in the home, as well as outside of it.
If trouble arises with your child, do not hesitate to help. Often bipolar children are lead to experiment with alcohol, drugs, or other risky behaviors. While it is important not to become an enabler in these situations, the bipolar child should know that they have help available to them when it is needed.
Most importantly, love should never be withheld from a child as a punishment. Parenting a bipolar son or daughter can be a difficult challenge, but it should also be an enjoyable time for both parties involved.
Here are three helpful book resources for raising a bipolar child:
The Bipolar Child: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood’s Most Misunderstood Disorder by Janice Papolos
Bipolar Kids: Helping Your Child Find Calm in the Mood Storm by Rosalie Greenberg
Positive Parenting for Bipolar Kids: How to Identify, Treat, Manage, and Rise to the Challenge by Mary Ann McDonnell
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Individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder often feel as though they are suffering alone; however, this misconception is simply not true. Statistics about bipolar disorder, gathered by the National Institute of Mental Health, reveal that approximately 5.7 million individuals in the United States are afflicted with this disorder. This amounts to almost 2% of the population.
In the majority of patients, the disorder’s symptoms become apparent and full fledged by the age of twenty five. However, a small portion of these individuals, roughly 10% of bipolar patients, do not see an onset of symptoms until they reach their 40’s or 50’s. Another study conducted by the NIMH revealed that two thirds of individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder have at least one close relative who suffers from this affliction or who has suffered from major depression. Although scientists are unsure as to why, this same study also suggested that women are two thirds more likely to suffer from bipolar disorder than men.
Other bipolar disorder statistics show that children who have two parents who suffer from bipolar disorder are 55-75% more likely to develop this disorder than their counterparts. This percentage drops to approximately 15-30% if only one parent has bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder also leads to an increased risk in suicide for patients. According to the World Health Organization, one in five people who have bipolar disorder will commit suicide. Even those who do not commit suicide have, on average, a life span that is 9.2 shorter than that of an non-afflicted counterpart.
If an individual has a parent or child who suffers from depression or is at an increased risk for developing this disorder, then educating themselves about the disease, and its associated statistics, is a necessary step in order to combat the disease.
Continue reading about Important Bipolar Disorder Statistics, Facts and Misconceptions
Risk factors for bipolar disorder are conditions or hereditary dispositions that increases an individual’s likelihood of developing bipolar disorder. The more risk factors that a person has, the greater their likelihood of contracting this disease is. Genetics is the one of the largest risk factors for bipolar disorder. An individual who has a blood relative who suffers from bipolar disorder is four times more likely to develop bipolar disorder than a person who does not have such a relative. The statistics are similar for those who have relatives who suffer from minor to major depression.
Bipolar disorder usually develops in individuals between the ages of 16 to 24. It is thought by the medical community that bipolar disorder may also develop as a person’s response to stressful or major life changes, such as the death of a loved one or extended periods of stress. Scientific studies are currently underway to determine the role that drug and alcohol abuse play as a bipolar disorder risk factor.
Although doctors are unsure as to why, certain diagnosed childhood and adolescent ailments may lead to the development of bipolar disorder in an individual later in adolescence or in young adulthood. These ailments in attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, social phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, and physical health problems, such as obesity.
Different types of medications, such as those for corticosteroids and certain thyroid conditions, and certain medical conditions can present with symptoms that similar to that of bipolar disorders. These potential causes for concern should be eliminated before the official diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made. Certain factors, such as an individual’s gender and birth order, may also place them at an elevated risk for the development of bipolar disorder. On average, women tend to have higher instances of cyclothemia and rapid mindset cycling that are associated with this disorder.