• Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • What Are Bipolar Disorder Cycles?
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
  • Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • What Are Bipolar Disorder Cycles?
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
Skip to content

Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents

Published: September 4, 2020 Updated: October 17, 2022
Published: 09/04/2020 Updated: 10/17/2022
Headshot of Michael Pipich, LMFT
Written by:

Michael Pipich

LMFT
Headshot of Meera Patel, DO
Reviewed by:

Meera Patel

DO
  • Signs of Childhood Bipolar DisorderSigns
  • Causes of Bipolar Disorder In ChildrenCauses
  • Diagnosing Bipolar in ChildrenDiagnosing
  • Normal Mood Changes vs BipolarMood Changes vs Bipolar
  • How to Get Help for a Child With BipolarGet Help
  • Treatment of Bipolar Disorder in ChildrenTreatment
  • Tips for Parents of Children With BipolarTips
  • Benefits of Early Diagnosis & Treatment of Bipolar in ChildrenBenefits of Early Treatment
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents InfographicsInfographics
Headshot of Michael Pipich, LMFT
Written by:

Michael Pipich

LMFT
Headshot of Meera Patel, DO
Reviewed by:

Meera Patel

DO

Bipolar disorder is a genetic disorder marked by drastic shifts into mania and depression. People with the disorder can experience manic episodes involving euphoria, inflated self-image, high irritability and agitation, decreased desire to sleep, racing thoughts or impulsive, often destructive behaviors. They also can go through periods of profound depression, which can include feelings of low self-esteem, hopelessness and suicidal thoughts or actions.

Despite these strong symptoms, bipolar disorder often goes unidentified and untreated. This is especially true when symptoms of bipolar disorder emerge in adolescence or even early childhood.

While many who have bipolar disorder are first diagnosed as adults, the presentation of bipolar symptoms are often traced back to childhood. Children with bipolar disorder can display excessive emotional changes, outbursts of anger, excitability, anxiety, or rage, followed by periods of depression and despondency.

Since about one-fourth of all deaths by suicide may be related to bipolar disorder,1 it’s critical that professionals and parents clearly understand when young children and adolescents are exhibiting the first signs of bipolar mood swings. Developing an early intervention treatment plan can spare children and their families years of suffering from the effects of bipolar disorder.

Online Psychiatry and Medication Management Covered By Insurance

Talkiatry offers virtual psychiatry for children and adolescents (age 6 and up). They’re in-network with every major insurer and offer medication management with talk therapy. Complete the online assessment and get matched with a doctor in just days. Free Assessment

Choosing Therapy is compensated for marketing by Talkiatry.

Free Assessment

Signs of Childhood Bipolar Disorder

Children with bipolar disorder will show episodes of mania along with episodes of depression. In episodes of mania, children tend to show increased energy, distractibility, pressured speech, grandiose self-image, decrease need or desire to sleep, elation/euphoria and poor judgment. They may also experience delusions or hallucinations along with these symptoms.3

Mania is not always about feeling great. It’s not unusual for people in a manic episode to also feel very irritable and easily agitated. In children and adolescents, they can display explosive anger, fits of rage, and at times, verbal and physical aggression. When this kind of manic episode subsides, they may feel guilty for their behavior or dismissive of the extent of their hostile behavior.

Along with periods of high excitability and irritability, it’s critical to look for drastic and even destructive forms of depression. Stark changes in energy levels and distractibility are typical in bipolar disorder. Most importantly, any signs of suicidal thoughts or gestures should be taken seriously. When children have bipolar disorder, they frequently display cycles involving suicidal expressions and even attempts. Self-harm and early problems with substance abuse are also common and should be immediately addressed with the proper treatment professionals.

Here are some important factors to look for in a young person who may have bipolar disorder:

  • Cycling episodes of sadness, rage, and elation
  • History of impulsivity, aggression, self-harm, and/or suicidal thoughts and actions
  • Substance abuse/Self-medication
  • Manic response to antidepressant or psychostimulant (ADHD) meds
  • Higher emotional reactivity compared to most same-age peers
  • History of extreme and/or abrupt changes in:
    • Appearance
    • Interests
    • Goals
    • Affiliation
    • Overall self-image

Causes of Bipolar Disorder In Children

Bipolar disorder is hereditary and is essentially coded in the individual’s DNA. As the young brain develops, these genetic factors affect how the brain handles emotional regulation. So, a person with bipolar does not acquire the disorder simply through life circumstances; they began life with a predisposition to it.

Commonly, the first signs of bipolar disorder occur during adolescence or early adulthood. This is likely related to hormonal changes, as well as increased social and academic pressures that can all become catalysts for bipolar symptoms. But prepubescent children can also express symptoms of bipolar. A better understanding of how bipolar disorder can manifest in younger children could improve early detection and treatment.

Diagnosing Bipolar in Children

An accurate diagnosis can be very beneficial to provide specific treatments that can improve mood and functioning without making bipolar worse. The average time it takes for someone with bipolar to be correctly diagnosed is about ten years.6

Bipolar is a mental illness of mostly young people, with the average onset in late teens to early-20’s. Identifying the disorder in adolescence (or earlier if possible) is one of the best gifts we could ever give that child.  Many persons—parents and professionals alike—are fearful of attaching the bipolar “label” to a young person.

An important factor to consider is family mental health history. Because bipolar disorder is genetic, any evidence of mental health conditions in the family history, particularly bipolar disorder, could assist in developing an accurate diagnosis for the child. This is especially true if bipolar is evident in first-degree relatives.4

Why Bipolar Disorder Is Often Missed

One part of the bipolar disorder problem is that manic behaviors are not always recognized as symptoms of bipolar in children and adolescents. Those symptoms may certainly get attention from family, teachers, and peers, but they may be attributed to other problems typical of childhood development. Or they may be viewed as other clinical problems, or simply a “phase” that the child is going through. When young people are accurately diagnosed with bipolar disorder, their treatments improve substantially.

Another part of the problem is denial, which is common in bipolar disorder, but isn’t limited to people with the condition. Family members can be in denial about bipolar, too. Parents can be especially resistant to a bipolar diagnosis because no one wants to think their child has a mental illness, especially one that needs lifelong care.

These fears are understandable, but ultimately, they can interfere with accepting the reality of what’s needed to treat bipolar disorder. Good, reliable information along with support for parents and all family members can ease fears and the great burden of helping their children cope with bipolar treatment.

Normal Mood Changes vs Bipolar

We expect that kids, especially teenagers, will explore different styles, ideas, and peer associates. These changes are a part of self-discovery and can be supported in a healthy and safe manner. But with children and teenagers with bipolar disorder, their first mood episodes can swing suddenly, even within a single day. (In fact, this is one of the reasons bipolar disorder is missed in children since mania can last much longer in adults.)

Despite these wild changes in emotion and behavior, there can also be periods of relative quiet between mood episodes. That doesn’t mean that bipolar disorder has gone away. It just means that there’s a certain calm before the next storm of uncontrolled emotions. In fact, that moment of calm is often the best opportunity to get started with bipolar treatment before another bipolar crisis breaks loose.

The problem with identifying bipolar disorder early in life is that mood shifts can occur for other psychiatric or life-adjustment reasons. Children and teenagers can certainly go through mood changes as they progress through development, but bipolar results in severe difficulties in emotional management, even at a very young age. So if you suspect your child could have bipolar, it’s good to find a professional experienced in childhood bipolar disorder to accurately assess the condition.

Destructive Behaviors Caused by Bipolar in Children

It’s particularly important to look at patterns of destructive behaviors. Suicide is of the greatest concerns, along with substance abuse, other acts of self-harm, and maybe even parental abuse. These behaviors are more easily addressed and treated if bipolar disorder is identified and treated under professional supervision.

Here are some typical problems associated with bipolar disorder that can be addressed and possibly improved with good treatment:

  • Substance use (alcohol and drugs)
  • Depression
  • Despondency
  • Suicidal feelings
  • Self-harm/Cutting
  • Aggression (physical fighting, yelling, profanity, etc.)
  • Age-inappropriate sexual activity
  • Poor grades
  • Poor organization/concentration
  • Poor life planning
  • Poor social choices
  • Disciplinary problems

How to Get Help for a Child With Bipolar

Not all mental health providers are alike. Many do not specifically focus on the special needs of children with bipolar disorder. As a parent, trying to find the right treatment team for your child with a possible bipolar disorder can easily feel overwhelming.

The first thing to know is that if your child is in a severe manic or depressive state, or is expressing suicidal thoughts or urges, or is threatening harm to self or someone else, they should be taken to a local psychiatric hospital or emergency room. You can always call 911 if you’re unable for any reason to transport your child.

In matters of less urgency, a good place to start in obtaining a referral for your child is with your child’s pediatrician or your family doctor. A child’s medical professional should certainly have your child’s mental health in mind, as well as his or her physical well-being.

Local psychiatric facilities or other resource lists can also provide referrals. Make sure to discuss with them your concerns about your child’s mood swings and behavior and ask who they typically recommend for childhood bipolar disorder.

Another resource is your child’s school counselor. While schools and school districts vary in terms of resources to help the mental health needs of their students, many have reliable referral lists in the community, which can offer you a good place to start.

While the process of finding the right treatment team for your child can seem daunting, it’s important to remember that early detection and intervention provide the best chance for your child’s success.

Popular Options For Child & Teen Therapy

Talkiatry – Talkiatry offers virtual psychiatry for children and adolescents (age 6 and up). They’re in-network with every major insurer and offer medication management with talk therapy. Complete the online assessment and get matched with a doctor in just days. Free Assessment


Teen Counseling – Provides online talk therapy to teenagers (13 – 19 years) of age. Serves all 50 states. Learn More


Manatee – Provides parent coaching for behavioral issues including tantrums, talking back, video game addiction, and aggressive behaviors. Free Consultation


Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Talkiatry, Teen Counseling, and Manatee.

Treatment of Bipolar Disorder in Children

Treatment for bipolar disorder involves mood stabilizing medications and therapy designed to help the child and family heal from the effects of bipolar, and ultimately meet the child’s self-esteem, academic and social needs. Pediatric psychiatrists and therapists trained in treating bipolar disorder in young people can be good first choices in developing a treatment team.

Medication for Bipolar Disorder in Children

Medications for bipolar disorder in children are essentially the same as those prescribed to adults. Dosages may be different depending on age, but adolescents in particular can metabolize medications efficiently, and doses often reflect that factor. The basic medications for bipolar disorder include:

  • Lithium
  • Anticonvulsants/antiseizure/antiepileptics
  • Antipsychotics
  • Antidepressants (usually with another mood stabilizing med)
  • Antianxiety/anxiolytics

Research has shown that untreated bipolar mood swings can actually damage the brain, resulting in greater life consequences that become harder to treat as life goes on. Therefore, proper medications for bipolar disorder are known to have “neuroprotective effects,” meaning they can protect the brain from the detrimental effects of bipolar mood swings.5 Moreover, therapy without adequate mood stabilization often impedes progress and can set back therapy goals for short- and long-term success.

Therapy for Bipolar Disorder in Children

As symptoms improve and mood swings are more manageable, individual therapy can be a useful tool for better emotional living. Since bipolar is genetic and begins early in life, it’s often difficult for a young person in early treatment to understand and manage emotions in a healthy, balanced way. Therapy can work to enhance relationships, and create new methods of organizing thoughts, feelings, and goals for lifelong success.

Families can also benefit from education and therapy to heal from the consequences of bipolar disorder. When a child’s bipolar mood swings are out-of-control, parents can suffer anxiety, frustration, and even sometimes conflicts among themselves. Understanding what bipolar is and how it forms, along with support within their child’s treatment regimen, can be helpful in reducing tension and improving family bonds. And parents may come to treatment with their bipolar children in various states of uncertainty or perhaps denial.

For kids, therapy focuses on facets of the young person’s life that offers gains in relationships, academics, social and recreational choices, and self-esteem.  This is when the patient and family together go beyond stabilization towards meeting the young person’s potential.

The Importance of Continued Treatment for Bipolar Disorder in Children

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental health condition that requires lifelong attention. People who stop their treatments are at risk for a bipolar relapse of mania, depression, or both, along with whatever consequences that have suffered in the past.

Of course, treatment isn’t going to turn around a child’s life right away.  The first point is to gain acceptance of the disorder as a family together as much as possible.  Helping young people with bipolar and their parents move from pre-stabilization to stabilization can require great effort and patience.

Especially with young people, the intensity of the disorder can create numerous problems that require sorting out over time.  This level of volatility makes it imperative to keep the focus squarely on the stabilization process, giving it as much time and attention as possible.  It is in the post-stabilization phase that kids can develop coping skills to improve their lives beyond preventing problems experienced in pre-stabilization.

Tips for Parents of Children With Bipolar

People with bipolar disorder can face many years of misdiagnosis and failed treatment. This critical gap in treatment demands that patients and their families know how to obtain the right treatment professionals to adequately diagnose and treat bipolar disorder.

In choosing the right care for your child’s bipolar disorder, consider the following five points:

  1. Start with mental health providers who treat young people in your child’s age group.
  2. Make sure the doctor and therapist are experienced in treating bipolar disorder.
  3. Consider how the treatment team approaches your child’s unique brain chemistry and life circumstances.
  4. Help promote collaboration among your child’s care team by obtaining releases of information to speak with them when necessary.
  5. Inquire with the treatment team about how you can be a positive part of your child’s care.

Benefits of Early Diagnosis & Treatment of Bipolar in Children

Unlike patients who initially come to bipolar treatment well into their adult years, children and adolescents who arrive at post-stabilization have a distinct advantage.  They have had fewer developmental years seeing themselves and the world around them through the distorted lens of mania and depression that marks bipolar disorder.

Thus, the formulation of a healthy and enduring sense of personal identity is generally more efficient in younger patients than compared to their adult counterparts.  Parents, too, have an improved chance to establish better communication with their bipolar children, and with each other, giving the entire family better opportunities for their futures together.8

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Talk Therapy 

Online-Therapy.com – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. Online-Therapy.com provides 45 minute weekly video sessions and unlimited text messaging with your therapist for only $64/week. Get started  Get Started

Virtual Psychiatry

Talkiatry Get help from a real doctor that takes your insurance. Talkiatry offers medication management and online visits with top-rated psychiatrists. Take the online assessment and have your first appointment within a week. Free Assessment

DBT Skills Course

Jones Mindful Living Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a popular treatment for BPD. Learn DBT skills with live weekly classes and online video courses for only $19 per month. Free One Week Trial

Choosing Therapy Directory 

You can search for therapists by specialty,  experience, insurance, or price, and location. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Jones Mindful Living, Online-Therapy.com, and Talkiatry.

For Further Reading

  • 17 Best Books About Bipolar Disorder
  • Mental Health America
  • National Alliance on Mental Health
  • MentalHealth.gov
  • Can Bipolar Be Cured? 6 Tips for Prevention & Recovery
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Bipolar Disorder
  • Art Therapy for Children & Teens: How It Works, Examples, & Effectiveness

Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents Infographics

Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents Episodes and Signs in Children with Bipolar Disorder Factors in a Young Person with Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder is Hereditary Normal Mood Changes Vs Bipolar Disorder Getting Help for Bipolar Disorder

Importance of Treating Bipolar Disorder Tips for Parents of Children with Bipolar Disorder

7 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

  • Luby, JL, Tandon, M, Belden, A. (2009). Preschool bipolar disorder. Child and Adolescent Clinics of North America, 18(2), 391-403.

  • Kowatch, RA., Youngstrom, EA., Danielyn A., Findling, RL. (2005). Review and meta-analysis of the phenomenology and clinical characteristics of mania in children and adolescents.Bipolar Disorders, 7(6), 483-496.

  • Goetz, M., et al., (2015). Early stages of pediatric bipolar disorder: Retrospective analysis of a Czech inpatient sample.Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, (11), 2855–2864.

  • McElroy, S.L., Keck, P.E., Post, R.M. (Ed.) (2008). Antiepileptic drugs to treat psychiatric disorders/i>. New York NY: Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. 390-391.

  • Drancourt, N., Etain, B., Lajnef, M., Henry, C., Raust, A., Cochet. B., et al. (2012). Duration of untreated bipolar disorder: Missed opportunities on the long road to optimal treatment. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 127(2), 136-144.

  • Pipich, M.G. (2018). Owning bipolar: How patients and families can take control of bipolar disorder.New York NY: Citadel Press.

Recent Articles

Hallucinations vs Delusions: Differences & Treatments
Hallucinations Vs. Delusions: Differences & Treatments
Hallucinations relate to disturbances in sensory experiences, while delusions affect a person’s innate beliefs and mental constructs. These may...
';
School Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes, & How to Help
School Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes, & How to Help
There are many types of anxiety disorders that a child or teen may experience. However, school anxiety can be...
';
Do Parents Really Have Favorites_ X Things to Consider
Do Parents Really Have Favorites? 6 Things to Consider
While ideally, parents would treat kids equally, favoritism does happen in families. Unequal treatment of children can change over...
';
Depression Symptoms, Signs, & What to Watch For
Depression Symptoms, Signs, & What to Watch For
Depression symptoms can include sadness, fatigue, and poor self-esteem, but signs of depression can be more complicated because the...
';
Depression: Types, Symptoms, & Treatments
Depression: Types, Symptoms, & Treatments
Depression is a mood disorder that brings about sadness and can influence our energy, irritability, and overall well-being. There...
';
Binge Eating Disorder: Signs, Symptoms, & Treatments
Binge Eating Disorder: Signs, Symptoms, & Treatments
Binge eating disorder is characterized by excessive food intake compared to what another person would normally eat along with...
';
Headshot of Michael Pipich, LMFT
Written by:

Michael Pipich

LMFT
Headshot of Meera Patel, DO
Reviewed by:

Meera Patel

DO
  • Signs of Childhood Bipolar DisorderSigns
  • Causes of Bipolar Disorder In ChildrenCauses
  • Diagnosing Bipolar in ChildrenDiagnosing
  • Normal Mood Changes vs BipolarMood Changes vs Bipolar
  • How to Get Help for a Child With BipolarGet Help
  • Treatment of Bipolar Disorder in ChildrenTreatment
  • Tips for Parents of Children With BipolarTips
  • Benefits of Early Diagnosis & Treatment of Bipolar in ChildrenBenefits of Early Treatment
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents InfographicsInfographics
If you are in need of immediate medical help:
Medical
Emergency
911
Suicide Hotline
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Careers
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • No Surprises Act
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
988
Click For More Crisis Hotlines
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
811
See more Crisis Hotlines
here
logo
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.
Choosing Therapy Logo
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit Cookie Settings to provide controlled consent. Cookie settings ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

We use cookies to facilitate website functionality. Also, we use third-party cookies to track your website behavior and target advertising. These cookies are stored in your browser only with your consent, and you have the choice of opting out.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non Necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Save & Accept