Bipolar disorder in children: Helping your child prevent manic episodes
What are the signs of a manic episode?
Your child with bipolar disorder may have unique manic behaviors that are identifiable. Family and friends can help to identify manic behaviors, especially if they know ahead of time what to watch for. General behaviors associated with a manic episode include:
- Abnormal happiness (euphoria).
- Extreme irritability or silliness.
- Long-lasting or intense outbursts or tantrums.
- Unrealistic feelings of self-importance (delusions of grandeur).
- Intense energy levels maintained for a long period of time.
- A decreased need for sleep.
- Increased talkativeness that is difficult to interrupt.
- Racing thoughts and distractibility—attention constantly moving from one thing to the next.
- An intense focus on sexual thoughts, feelings, or behaviors (hypersexuality); use of explicit sexual language.
- An intense focus on reaching a goal.
- Dangerous or reckless behavior. For example, a young child may think he or she can fly and jump off a roof. A teen may drive too fast, spend money unwisely, or have unprotected sex.
- Extreme behavior that causes problems on the job, at school, in social situations, or at home.
- Symptoms of psychosis (detachment from reality), such as hearing voices or being paranoid.
Test Your Knowledge
Some signs of going into a manic episode include having a great deal of energy, having racing thoughts, and talking a lot.
Continue to
Why is it important to control a manic episode?
Return to
| Author: | Jeannette Curtis Ralph Poore | Last Updated: May 14, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry | |
 | ||
| |