Does my 10 year old have bipolar? (+5 Coping strategies)

In this detailed post, we will be discussing if your 10 year old has bipolar, by listing the various signs and symptoms of the disorder. We will also be checking out the different treatment possibilities for bipolar disorder in children.

Does my 10 year old have bipolar?

Your 10 year old may have bipolar if they are exhibiting the following signs and symptoms:

• Frequent mood swings
• Showing sexually promiscuous behavior
• Changes in appetite
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Showing impulsive behaviors
• Depicting a very high sense of self
• Self-harming or suicidal behavior
• Showing very elated behavior at times
• Sudden changes in their school performance
• Talking very fast at times
• Complaining about physical pain
• Showing a depth of imagination
• Experiencing hallucinations

Frequent mood swings

One of the main signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder in adults as well as children is frequent mood swings. If your child is constantly experiencing mood swings which are very intense in nature, this can be a sign of bipolar disorder.

Showing sexually promiscuous behavior

Sexually promiscuous behavior may be rare in children, but in the events of bipolar disorder, especially during the manic phase, many kids may depict sexually active behavior. Promiscuity in children is different but can be observed through their dressing and their conversations.

Changes in appetite

Bipolar disorder in your child can also lead to sudden and unexplained changes in appetite. You might find that they suddenly are eating more portions than usual. At the same time, depressive phases may also lead to a very poor appetite and many missed meals in your child.

Changes in sleep patterns

Not only their appetite, but your child’s sleep patterns may also suddenly change if they are having bipolar disorder. Manic phases in bipolar disorder may reduce their need for sleep and they still may have a lot of energy for the next day, even without any rest.

Showing impulsive behaviors

Sudden impulsive and reckless behaviors in your child may also be explained by the presence of bipolar disorder. Impulsivity is often seen in the manic phases of bipolar disorder and may even lead to dangerous situations. Thus, immediate treatment is necessary.

Depicting a very high sense of self

Manic phases in bipolar disorder can also lead to an elevated sense of self in your child. As a result, they may portray tremendous confidence to take on new projects and challenges, even if they are not fully equipped for it.

Self-harming or suicidal behavior

Bipolar disorder in adults as well as children can even lead to self-harming and sometimes even suicidal behavior. Sometimes, you might find that your child may speak more of death and killing which can also depict the presence of bipolar disorder in them.

Showing very elated behavior at times

The manic phase of bipolar disorder can also lead to a serious elation in your child’s mood. However, this can also be stimulated by the presence of disorders like ADHD. The difference is that in bipolar disorder, there would be no absolute need for res and recharge.

Sudden changes in their school performance

If your child goes to school, bipolar disorder can also lead to sudden changes in their academic performance. While hypo-mania may actually boost performance in school, manic and depressive phases in bipolar disorder actually causes problems in academic performance.

Talking very fast at times

Manic phases in bipolar disorder may also lead to an increased pace of talking in your child. The mood disorder may not only increase the pace of their talking, but your child may even continuously switch between topics without making much sense.

Complaining about physical pain

Another sign of bipolar disorder in your child is the presence of physical pain. Depressive phases caused by the disorder can lead to joint pain and muscle fatigue, which may also interfere with their movements and their daily activity.

Showing a depth of imagination

Some children who have bipolar disorder may also depict a sudden increase in their imagination levels. While imagination is pretty common in children, the phases of bipolar disorder may bring up scenes in accordance with the high or low that your kid is experiencing.

Experiencing hallucinations

Hallucinations can also be a sign of bipolar disorder in your child. Since they are children, they may not be able to explain themselves well. But, if your child often refers to something that is not there or heard, they might have psychotic symptoms of bipolar disorder.

How to treat bipolar in a 10 year old?

If you suspect that your 10 year old might be suffering from bipolar, there are numerous options that you can choose from as the next step. However, before any treatment is given to your child, it is mandatory that you consult with a licensed and certified mental health professional.

The mental health professional may advise medications and even psychotherapy to help your child. At the same time, there are many things that you can do as a parent to help your child with bipolar disorder. Some of these things that you can practice are:

• You can encourage your child to express their feelings: When your child is receiving the medical or psychological treatment that they need from their mental health professional, you can do your part at home by simply encouraging them to express themselves freely.

You also need to remember that each child expresses in a different manner. Some children may express themselves through words, others through their craft & still others express themselves through their social behavior. Allow your child to choose their own path of expression.

• You need to be patient for their medication to work: Another thing to remember is to actually be patient for the medication or even the therapy to work. During these times, you can try using other healthy coping techniques at home.

You need to understand the triggers for your child’s behaviors: Many of the symptoms of bipolar are triggered off. These triggers can vary from child to child. Try understanding what triggers your child, their food, certain people, certain situations, etc.

Once you understand the triggers, you can help your child cope with them in a better manner. For instance, if you are aware of a trigger that can upset them, you can try avoiding that particular trigger factor, or simply use some other coping technique to boost their mood.

• You can use play as a therapeutic tool: As a parent, you can also use play-time as a therapeutic tool to help with your child’s bipolar disorder. Play can be instrumental, especially free-play since it reveals a lot about your child’s psyche.

In many cases, physical play, such as playing tug-of-war, or jumping on a trampoline can even help in reducing energy levels which can offset the symptoms of bipolar. Just make sure that the play is centered on an activity to bring more structure to the play-time.

• You try using yoga to help your child relax: Another fantastic tool that is being increasingly used by educators and child therapists is yoga. As a parent who has a child who has bipolar disorder, you can also try using yoga at home.

Yoga can be used to improve the flexibility and agility of your child and can even boost their stamina. Furthermore, attention spans and concentration levels can also improve. The deep breathing associated with yoga can even help in reducing stress levels and fighting the disorder.

Conclusion

In this detailed post, we have discussed if your 10 year old has bipolar, by listing the various signs and symptoms of the disorder. We will also be checked out the different treatment possibilities for bipolar disorder in children.

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