Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens: A Parents Guide From the
National Institute of Mental Health All parents can relate to
the many changes their kids go through as they grow up. But
sometimes it's hard to tell if a child is just going through a
"phase," or perhaps showing signs of something more serious.
Recently, doctors have been diagnosing more children with
bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic-depressive illness. But
what does this illness really mean for a child? What is bipolar
disorder? Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive
illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood
and energy. It can also make it hard for someone to carry out
day-to-day tasks, such as going to school or hanging out with
friends. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They are
different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes
through from time to time. They can result in damaged
relationships, poor school performance, and even suicide. But
bipolar disorder can be treated, and people w