Bipolar disorder which is sometimes known as manic –depressive illness is a mental disorder, which is characterized by rapid mood swings, the median age for such disorder considered is 25 years, though the researchers had identified such disorder in all age groups, which includes preschoolers also/by identifying symptoms early you can help your child to get a head start on managing their symptoms.

How to Diagnose Bipolar Disorder in Child

Step 1

Consult the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). The DSM-IV is the standard reference for diagnosing psychiatric disorders. As of 2009, the DSM-IV only lists adult bipolar disorder, and the medical community is divided as whether a separate or different list for children should be included in the manual.

Step 2

Make use of the child and adolescent bipolar foundation checklist, because of the lack of child listing in the DSM-IV, for this child and adolescent bipolar foundation (CABF) had created a checklist of  child’s behavior that are common with bipolar disorder. According to CABF if your child is having several behaviours’ among them, there is a bright chance that he has such disorder. This behavior may include sadness, isolation, anxiety, and sexualized behavior uncommon for child’s age, dominating behavior, sleeping disturbances, racing thoughts, extreme hostility.

Step 3

It is difficult to diagnose a child with such disorder, as often behaviors’ of other disorder mingles with symptoms of bipolar disorder, Which can involve attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, oppositional-defiant disorder, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and reactive attachment disorder.

Step 4

Consulting a trained professional. if you think that your child may be suffering from bipolar disorder, arrange an appointment with psychiatrist who is familiar with pediatric bipolar disorder to get your child evaluated. To get a right diagnosis by an expert is imperative before your child can start getting better.