Oct 20 2008
Another post about childhood bipolar
So I’m feeling a little better today, at least I don’t feel like a truck ran me over. lol. So i figure I would post another post on childhood bipolar. Which by the way as only been researched in the past 15 years so there isn’t that much information on it.
So it took a little digging to get some good facts. Because they thought a lot of bipolar kids were just kids with ADHD which they are a lot in common. But there is a lot of difference to it. And this is what I decided to write about this post.
Both disorders share many characteristics: impulsivity, inattention, hyperactivity, physical energy, behavioral and emotional lability (behavior and emotions change frequently), frequent coexistence of conduct disorder and oppositional-defiant disorder, and learning problems. Motor restlessness during sleep may be seen in both (children who are bipolar are physically restless at night when “high or manic”,though they may have little physical motion during sleep when “low or depressed”).
And the differences are;
The destructiveness that are in both disorders may seem the same but they are very different. A child with ADHD often breaks things carelessly while playing, where as the destructiveness with a bipolar child is not a result of carelessness, but usually out of anger. The duration and intensity of the angry outbursts and temper tantrums in the two disorder differs. A kid with ADHD usually calm down within 20 to 30 minutes wheras a kid with bipolar will continue to feel and act angry for over 30 minutes to 4 hour. The energy that a child with ADHD puts out during the anger outburst could be mimicked by an adult, If an adult tried to mimick a bipolar child would reach exhaustion in a few minutes.
It is good to hear that you are starting to feel better and it is interesting to read about the differences you have highlighted.
I find 20-30 minutes of intense energy from an angry child hard to bare. BUT 30 minutes to 4 hours!!! Would the child have up and down states during that period or would they be intense all that time?
I would also be interested in any helpful pointers and useful resources that you might know of concerning how to help children with anger outbursts.
I finally got around to posting your link on my site - sorry it took a bit but thanks for being willing to share. You do a great job opening up and letting the rest of us look into your life!
Kathie