Landmark Study into Bipolar in Children and Young People
by Cerianwen Ball
A recent study by Course and Outcome of Bipolar Illness in Youth COBY found that children and teen-agers with bipolar disorder suffer from the illness differently than adults do with their symptoms lasting longer and changing more swiftly from hyper to lethargy and depression.
In this first major study by COBY psychiatrist conducted a study of over 400 patients some for over five years to determine the effects of bipolar in young people and children.
Dr Martin Keller a front liner in designing and conducting long-term studies of major psychiatric disorders says "Bipolar disorder severely impairs functioning and has a high rate of related psychiatric and
physical health issues, such as anxiety and substance abuse,"
Bipolar disorder also known as manic-depressive illness is distinguished by dramatic mood changes, energy levels and behaviour. Sufferers can swing from one extreme (mania, which can be accompanied by extreme irritability, lack of sleep, poor judgment, restlessness and impulsiveness.) To the other extreme, depression, this can be branded by hopelessness, tiredness and, in some cases, suicidal tendancies. These manic and depressive episodes are interspersed with milder symptoms and impaired function in a mainstream of sufferers.
The study showed that these symptoms run a longer course with children
and young people and in many of the cases the mood swings were even more dramatic and switched within shorter intervals than usual in adult cases.
Many of those with Bipolar otherwise specified developed Bipolar or Bipolar II. While researchers supposed that such conversions might transpire, this is the first comprehensive study to clearly document the phenomenon.
Cerianwen is a writer and Bipolar sufferer striving to rid the stigma of mental health through writing.
Cerianwen is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/
which is a site for Creative Writers.
Other Articles:
Suicidal Tendencies That Exist In Bipolar Disorder And Ways To Treat It
First - What is Bipolar Disorder? Bipolar disorder is the mental disorder in which the person suffering goes in extreme mood swings. So while he or she may be feeling depression at one moment they will feel mania or extreme sense of pleasure and heightened activity the other. This is...
Bipolar Breakfast
Yes, it’s true, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If you have bipolar disorder, it’s even more important. Missing a meal causes fluctuations in blood sugar, which dramatically affect moods, both within us and in the way we express ourselves. Food, in general, is a...
Bipolar and Discrimination
Bipolar is certainly a misunderstood illness. Even those of us who deal with it everyday have a hard time understanding bipolar disorder. As the old saying goes “People mock what they don’t understand”. Just because you suffer from Bipolar Disorder doesn’t mean you have to let...
