No more bipolar disorder is possible.

Contrary to popular belief mentally ill people can get better. Much better. This is good news for those suffering from bipolar disorder, but not so good news for the pharmaceutical companies.

Consider this. An estimated 60 million Americans age 18 and older suffer from mental health disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. According to the World Health Organization, mental illness is among the top 10 leading causes of disabilities in the USA today. Now can you can see why your overcoming bipolar disorder symptoms is not in the best interest of these companies?

So what’s in it for you?

You have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Now what? Have you been deceived into thinking you have to live with bipolar disorder the rest of your life? I am here to tell you, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on therapy or hundreds of dollars on prescription drugs.

Are you tired of giving all your money to your doctor and pharmacist?

Are you sick and tired of being lied to?

Would you like to be able to live well and in good health?

Would you like some of your hard earned cash to go into your pocket for your family needs?

Then listen up.

For less than the cost of a doctor’s visit you can begin your journey toward wellness by taking ownership of your health. The journey toward no more bipolar disorder is NOT that difficult, nor particularly expensive compared to ongoing doctor bills. "So if it’s not that difficult and that affordable, why is it so hard?" you ask.

mental health balance is not that hard to achieve. What is hard is…

overcoming the barrier that seems to keep people away from achieving their desired "normal" life.

That barrier is…

their head. No, I don’t mean the so called chemical imbalance in your brain, but rather their mind set or their attitude and what they believe about themselves. You see it’s the attitude or what you believe about yourself that determines what direction you will take.

If you are new to natural remedies, holistic health or the wellness concept, the first thing you should know is there’s no overnight "magic cures" for overcoming bipolar disorder.

The # 1 reason people succeed at overcoming bipolar disorder is they have a long term mentality. Those who fail do not. Today, people are too impatient. We live in a world where we expect instant success, instant delivery, instant pudding, instant pain killers, instant communications. But the truth is success at anything is a journey, not an instant "Beam me up Scottie," attitude.

Those that have the long term mentality and become students of natural and universal health laws, who will try new and proven things, will always be successful. It takes time to rebuild what took years to of bad habits to develop. Give yourself time to rebuild and redirect your bipolar disorder out of your life.

That being said, this article is a supplement (not a replacement) for your doctor’s advice. I’m just asking that you get informed-get healthy- stay informed-stay healthy. The natural way is proving to be a better way for 1,000’s.

The #2 reason people succeed at overcoming bipolar disorder is they take ownership of their mental and physical health. They realize once all is said and done, the choice to overcome their health challenge is theirs to make, not their doctors, their psychiatrists, their family members but theirs alone. Once this is decided, get informed. Question everything, including your doctor and pharmacist.

Read everything you can get your hands on concerning natural alternatives to overcoming bipolar disorder. Then you can make an informed decision as to what road you will travel.

Will you travel down the AMA (American Medical Association) route that often leads to prolonged prescription drugs, adverse side effects, damaged livers, long therapy sessions and loss of finances.

Or will you decide to travel the natural pathway which brings us back to "normalcy" provided we follow the universal health laws? Try to imagine how you could use that money instead on your vacations, your children’s education and camping trips. Can you feel that money growing in your pocket?

The choice is yours. Remember if pharmaceutical drugs worked why aren’t you well?

Author: Catherine Sinclair

Catherine Sinclair, PhD., an ex-bipolar sufferer, is a licensed pastoral counselor and certified wellness consultant, specializing in the naturopathic approach to overcoming bipolar disorder symptoms and chemical imbalances in the brain. More overcoming information can be found on her website [http://www.no-more-bipolar-disorder.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Catherine_Sinclair

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Bipolar disorder is a stipulation that is often diagnosed only in teens and adults. However, the’re rising instances of children and babies being diagnosed as bipolars. As a matter of fact, there are growing up children who’re currently being treated for this illness. When mood swings are to be expected as a result of this disorder, it can be quite a challenge for parents and caregivers to take care of a bipolar child.

Understanding bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a medical illness that is characterized by marked changes in temperament, behavior and mood swings. Bipolar disorder is also called as Manic Depression. It is a rather serious condition but it might be treated through medications and therapy.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder include:

- irritability
– mood swings
– anger or rages
– destructive behavior
– separation anxiety
– melancholia
– no curiosity about play
– insomnia or difficulty in sleeping
– bed wetting
– nightmares
– restlessness and agitation
– extreme elation followed by extreme depression
– agitation
– cravings
– uncontrollable tantrums

The most key of treating and managing bipolar disorder is early diagnosis and intervention. The symptoms of this disorder can appear in infancy and bipolar babies might be checked early by a medical professional so the chasten treatment can be prescribed.

Is bipolar disorder common in babies?
The’re no studies yet that will show how frequent the illness is among infants and youngsters. What’s known, though, is that only as many as 2% of the adult population in the world have the disorder. It is in addition observed that children who have ADHD (attention deficit disorder) showed Symptoms of bipolar as soon as possible in infancy.

Looking after the affairs of mood swings in bipolar babies
It is very important that a particular diagnosis is performed. Is so that any underlying conditions that may be causing the mood swings in the newborn child appears eliminated. This is because in a few cases, bipolar disorder can only be an element of a larger condition. A wrong diagnosis cannot only prevent an infant from getting the assist he/she deserves, his health could also be placed in jeopardy if medications that aren’t appropriate for his condition are prescribed.

If bipolar disorder is indeed diagnosed, then it would be easier for the parents and the physician to discuss which types of treatments may be helpful for the child. It’s important that parents understand the kind of demands expected from them when in comes to taking care of a bipolar baby. Therapies, medications, sure adjustments in diet and lifestyle, are merely some thing that they have to be mindful of.

Parents should likewise keep records of any improvements or distinct behavior in children throughout prescribed treatment period. During consultations with the physician, any new observations should be discussed.

Parents should in addition try to obtain updated information regarding bipolar disorder in babies. Apart from on the internet resources, there are likewise professional associations and groups that offer not just news, facts and statistics but also necessary support. Joining on the internet forums can in addition be helpful because many parents who have bipolar babies on their own frequently offer their private proactive advice, something that inexperienced parents will see valuable.

There’s no reason why a bipolar baby suffering from mood swings at an adolescent age cannot age and become a healthy diet and regular exercise, fully functional adult. The chief is for parents to ensure early diagnosis and treatment and sufficient medical, emotional and physical support for the infant.

Author: Dakota Anderson

Dakota Anderson has been writing articles online for nearly 3 years now. Not only does this author specialize in diet, weight loss and fitness , you can also check out his latest website on folding patio chair and padded folding chairs.

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You Can Cure Bipolar Disorder And Reclaim Your Life.

Contrary to what the medical authorities have told us, it is possible to treat and even Cure Bipolar Disorder. Here are three fundamental techniques to help eliminate the Symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Technique #1: Learn To Control Your Thinking

Although you might be taking medication to deal with your bipolar disorder right now, I promise you that ‘bipolar self-help’ is absolutely essential if you want to achieve freedom from your illness. Antidepressants and psychiatric care or therapy have their place, but currently there is not nearly enough emphasis being placed on the power of practicing self-help for those who want to overcome bipolar.

The most essential element of exercising self help and eventually being able to Cure Bipolar Disorder is becoming acutely conscious of your thinking. The worst episodes always begin with small, seemingly harmless thoughts. Small thoughts in turn grow into something increasingly irrational, and soon another explosive episode is born.

Learning to control and master your thinking is an intensive process that requires tremendous self discipline and deep awareness of your personal tendencies. If you want to take the first step towards finally having the power to tame your own mind I suggest you seek the help of an alternative approach. Many people have been able to cure bipolar disorder, but it has not happened using conventional medicine. Achieving freedom from bipolar disorder is possible once you find the key for making these fundamental changes in your mood patterns and thinking.

Technique #2: Commit To Beneficial Outcomes

Perhaps the biggest tragedy of being afflicted by bipolar disorder is the frequent inability to create healthy situations and prevent destructive ones. On the contrary, when in the midst of struggling against their disease, those afflicted often bring about horrific pain, tumult, and heartache. In essence, technique #2 is simply an extension of the first technique; if you are able to exert control over the small thoughts that initially lead to irrational and poisonous emotions, you will be in a better position to commit to beneficial, healthy outcomes. Therefore it is necessary to master the thoughts that precede this eventual commitment if you are endeavoring to cure bipolar disorder. When struggling to maintain a healthy mood and rational thinking, you can simply declare within that you have firmly committed to not letting an episode flare up. In fact, you must then become unambiguously dedicated to a beneficial, non-explosive, neutral or even positive outcome.

The underlying thinking here is that you are converting what potentially began as something destructive and toxic, into what has the possibility of being a normal, safe, and advantageous result. When you are able to do this it will act as a powerful affirmation that you are much more than the chemical components of your brain – you are in control of your thinking, your moods, and your life. Believing you have control over yourself is absolutely imperative to positively affecting your reality and effectively thwarting potential episodes.

Technique #3: Use The Perspective Test

When feeling the onset of mania, the opportunity for performing a highly effective self-help test becomes crucially important. The Perspective Test consists of taking a step back from where you currently are emotionally and psychologically and evaluating the antithesis of your feelings. Therefore if you feel angry that your husband didn’t clean the kitchen, imagine what it would be like to feel happy that your husband cleaned the kitchen. Although obviously not the case, and while you may indeed have valid reasons to be angry, the point with this exercise is to create massive contrast – the antithesis or opposite of what you are presently experiencing. For those who are capable of doing this, a fresh understanding of your own perspective is obtainable. It then becomes easier to resist letting the situation control you, and enables you to control your moods and thoughts irrespective of any current external factors. The main point here is that it doesn’t matter if you are vindicated in feeling angry at the messy kitchen (or any other similar situation), you are choosing consciously to refuse to allow external circumstances to dictate the your inner dispositions.

Those who have a spouse or significant other who is ill with bipolar often struggle with their partner’s intense rage, paranoia, jealously and other irrational and exaggerated emotions and thinking. Unfortunately the established medical community has not done enough to help the spouses and family members of those who suffer from bipolar disorder. However, there is alternative information that provides workable solutions and powerful advice for people is such situations.

Conclusion: Help Is Out There

In order to make real progress in your fight to reclaim your life and finally end the suffering of bipolar disorder it is necessary to break away from the established medical community. Although certain medications have been scientifically proven to help with anxiety, there is nothing that a medical doctor can offer you to cure your bipolar disorder. That must come from within, and it is only achievable with focussed and determined self help.

With effort and persistence, you can overcome bipolar. There is most certainly hope for living a normal life free of this illness. However this will not happen until you abandon the false belief that doctors will heal you – for clearly they can not. Sadly, doctors prognosticate a very bleak picture for Bipolar Patients. According to them, there is no known cure. Yet there are many people who have successfully treated bipolar by developing themselves and this has, in effect, led to being permanent cured.

In your fight to cure bipolar disorder it is imperative that you never lose hope, never give up, and actively seek out the information that provides lasting answers in order to develop a mastery of the self.

Author: Johnathan Sterling

Johnathan Sterling reviews important products for people from all walks of life. By undertaking a serious, honest, and comprehensive investigation into important issues and the available products that can help them, Johnathan continues to be a valuable voice of expertise in the online wilderness.

Visit http://www.squidoo.com/bipolarcure for recommendations on the top three reviewed programs for curing bipolar disorder.

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Despite what you may have been told, bipolar disorder is NOT all "in your head." In fact, it is a very serious, legitimate disease that many people suffer from all over the world. It is characterized by severe mood swings, from euphoric to depressed.

These swings can come rapidly or take months to go from one to the other. Often, people who don’t understand this disorder will think that those who have it are just acting out to get attention or are simply ill-behaved. This is unfortunate for the patient, as bipolar disorder support from friends and loved ones is critical to the recovery of someone who has this condition.

There are lots of commercials on TV these days that talk about the importance of support from friends and family for those who have mental illnesses. It can literally make the difference between getting better and staying the same. But those who don’t understand mental illness are often hurtful and cruel to the patient without meaning to be, simply because they have no frame of reference for what is happening to their loved one.

In order to give bipolar disorder support, they need to understand what’s going on and how they can help. Talking to their loved one’s doctor or therapist can offer tremendous benefits to both patient and family member. While everyone can go through a period of "the blues," it becomes a mental disorder when the condition sticks around for a long period of time for no apparent reason. When this happens, a legitimate mental illness is in existence, and treatment is required.

The person who has the illness can not help what they are going through, as it is a chemical imbalance in their brain that is causing the symptoms. They require medication and sometimes counseling, as well, to help them cope with the effects of the illness.

Because living with someone with a mental illness can be so challenging, those who do live with someone who suffers from one may need counseling, as well. At the very least, they need instruction into what mental illness is and how they can best help their loved one get through it in the best possible manner. Once someone has sufficient education on how to deal with mental illness in a loved one, then real bipolar disorder support can begin.

Author: Condrad Wemult

Are you getting the information you need about bipolar disorder? Visit my depressive bipolar disorder blog for the facts behind this mood disorder. Also be sure to download my free report on what you need to know about bipolar disorder at http://www.BipolarDisorderInsider.com today!

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If you are interested in seeing the statistics of bipolar disorder diagnosis in the United States over the past several years, you may want to take a peek into the Archives of General Psychiatry. We should have records after all that make research easy so that new facts can be dug up about such conditions when they are needed.

In the attempt to diagnose bipolar disorder, your psychiatrist will ask you series of searching questions, some of which you may not consider to be relevant. This is why it is critical that you are working with a psychiatrist who you trust, because when they ask these questions, you have to be able to answer them still without fear or doubt.

Note that the diagnosis is not something you want to do or get over the Internet. Sure there are websites that make it easy enough all over the internet at this time, but they lack the personal touch of direct contact between doctor and patient that is required for accuracy of diagnosis and best effects. Try to get your diagnosis in person.

The proportion of children in America that were diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1990 was less than 3 percent. I wouldn’t want to cause you much alarm by revealing the current proportion as at this time, but I can tell you simply that it has grown more than fivefold. Cause for alarm? I wouldn’t know; but I would wait for the pros to tell us. It’s always a very good step to take all the precautions you can against this disease. In other words, don’t take things for granted but seek the right medical help all the time.

Author: Condrad Wemult

Click for SECRETS on Bipolar Disorder Children and BEST Bipolar Disorder Coping Tips. Click these links now before we start charging money for these top secrets!

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There is still no medical cure for bipolar disorder; therefore, people with the disorder have been forced to look elsewhere for a cure. The Internet has gladly stepped forward as a ready source for miracle (natural) cures for bipolar disorder. I’m not saying that some of these cures do or do not help; all I’m saying is to remember the saying, "If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

Some advertisements offering these miracle (natural) cures may actually have harmful information, and this is what I caution you against the most. Be aware of advertisements about herbs, vitamins, natural remedies and other alternative methods (especially if they use the word CURE) as Treatment for Bipolar disorder, and be forewarned if they encourage you to use these alternative treatments in place of your prescribed medication.

Always check with your doctor before using anything other than your prescribed medication. Using these other treatments in addition to your prescribed medication may be all right, if your doctor gives you the go-ahead; however, you must be aware of advertisements that encourage you to take any of these other alternative methods instead of your regular medication.

I hate those commercials that say, "You need to take this," or "You need to do that…" They make me feel like if I don’t do it, I’m being left out of something, or something bad is going to happen to me. Then I shake my head out of the advertising propaganda and remember it’s just that – they want me to feel that way. It’s just an advertising ploy to get me to buy something I don’t really need or want. I encourage you not to fall for this ploy.

I’m also realistic. I remember that what works for SOME, doesn’t necessarily work for ALL! That’s why I’m so careful about what I put into my body, and what I recommend to other people. I support a mother with bipolar disorder, and if there really were a miracle cure for bipolar disorder being sold on the Internet, I would have already bought it and given it to her!

There is another saying that goes, "If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it." If your bipolar medication is working for you and you are stable (without symptoms or episodes), why are you looking for a miracle cure, anyway? This is very dangerous, as some companies will try to take advantage of you, and many on the Internet are running scams when it comes to miracle cures for bipolar disorder.

Especially be careful of advertisements that promote personal testimonials more than they promote actual facts, or hide the ingredients of their product. Think about this fact: There is no, and I repeat, NO natural product, supplement, aid, or CURE for bipolar disorder on the market today that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)!

Joshua D. McDavid, M.D., M.P.H., Acting Director of Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Washington in Seattle, says, "Thus it is not surprising that some individuals will seek unconventional treatments that emphasize macrobiotic, "holistic" or natural remedies. While keeping an open mind about new developments is a good general principal, we wish to emphasize strongly that the only scientifically proven treatments for bipolar disorder are pharmacologic and we similarly strongly discourage the use of such "natural" remedies, without the collaboration of a competent, board certified psychiatrist."

If you’re looking for a miracle cure for bipolar disorder, you won’t find one, as none exists, any more than a medical cure. However, if you choose to take nutritional supplements to your regular diet, you MUST get permission from your doctor to make sure they will not interfere with the bipolar medication you are already taking.

In addition, you must understand that any supplements must be taken in addition to your current prescribed medication, and NEVER instead of your medication. This is a very important point, as there are some unscrupulous companies that advertise bipolar "cures" or "natural remedies" on the Internet that might lead you astray.

Author: David E. Oliver

David Oliver has the #1 website for bipolar information, symptoms, causes, medications and treatments.

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Children and Teenagers with bipolar disorders can have manic or depressive symptoms. Some children may mostly have depression and others a combination of manic and depressive symptoms. Highs are usually combined with alternative lows.

Bipolar disorders usually begin in childhood and during the teenage years, and may be diagnosed in adult life. This illness can affect anyone and without any specific history. If one or both parents have a bipolar disorder, the chances are greater that their children may develop it at an early age. Family history of drug or alcohol has also been associated with greater risk for bipolar disorders.

Symptoms of bipolar disorders in children and teenagers are – severe changes in — unusually happy, silly, sometimes very irritable, angry, agitated or aggressive. Some teenagers experience unrealistic highs in self-esteem, for example, a teenager may start feeling very powerful or like a superhero with special powers. They may develop an increase in energy and the ability to go with little or no sleep for days without feeling tired. An adolescent may start talking too much, too fast and changes topics too frequently, without interruption due to depression. They also get distracted very easily, and attention moves constantly from one thing to another. They may also develop repetitive, high risk-taking behavior; such as abusing alcohol and drugs, reckless driving or sexual promiscuity

When a teenage is in a depression he or she may develop excessive irritability, depressed moods, unrelenting sadness, frequent crying, thoughts of death or suicide, loss of enjoyment in favorite activities, frequent complaints of physical illnesses such as headaches or stomach aches, low energy level, fatigue, poor concentration, complaints of boredom and a major change in eating or sleeping patterns, such as oversleeping or overeating.

Teenagers with bipolar disorder can be successfully treated. Treatments include educating the patient and their families about the illness, mood-stabilizing medications such as lithium and valproic acid and psychotherapy. Mood stabilizing medications will often reduce the severity of manic episodes, and also help prevent depression. Psychotherapy helps a child adapt to stresses, rebuild self-esteem and enhance relationships. The diagnosis of bipolar disorders in children and teens is complicated and involves careful observation over an extended period of time.

Author: Kent Pinkerton

Bipolar Disorder provides detailed information on Bipolar Disorder, Symptom of Bipolar Disorder, Teen Bipolar Disorder, Bipolar Disorder Treatment and more. Bipolar Disorder is affiliated with Bipolar Depression [http://www.e-Bipolar.com]. ===>

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Introduction
Most treatment professionals working with children and adolescents are acutely aware of the rise in the rate at which children and adolescents, but most significantly pre-pubescent children, are being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. While estimates vary from article to article, it is interesting to note several recently reported statistics. The New York Times, in an article released in September of 2007, noted that in the 10 year span from 1993 to 2003, there was a forty-fold increase in the rate at which this population was being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, while a more scholarly article (Youngstrom, 2005) noted that marked increases had been found in the rate of diagnosing in children of those involved with Child Protective Services in Illinois. Other writers have pointed to this sharp increase in the rate, some positively (NYT, 2007, Papalos and Papalos, 2006), even saying that there needs to be even more of an increase. Others, however, have expressed alarm at this sharp increase, and have pleaded with professionals to have a more conservative approach to diagnosing this in pre-adults. There is much debate in the field, hotly opinioned views, and contention in the field brought on by the huge gulf between the most liberal, and the most conservative, in terms of this diagnosis. To some extent, this divide is evident between Psychiatrists and Psychologists, and indeed, the previously noted NY Times article pointed out that 90% of the diagnosing of Bipolar Disorder in children was being done by psychiatrists. However, there are many other mental health professionals, including psychologists and other non-psychiatric folk in the field, who take the liberal approach shared by many psychiatrists.

What Drives us to diagnose bipolar disorder in Children and Adolescents?
For those who advocate earlier diagnosing, one of the most commonly quoted reasons is prevention: prevention of a poor childhood, prevention of academic difficulties, prevention of social failure, prevention of kindling, etc. The risk, proponents of earlier diagnosing opine, is that failure to act is a disservice to the child, and to those involved in the child’s life. This has been the stated reason driving such professionals as Dr. Dimitri Papalos and his wife, Janice Papalos, and of others, and indeed, any professional with any modicum of empathy has most certainly considered this when reflecting on a case of possible Bipolar Disorder in a child or adolescent. For, if indeed, allowing a child to pass through their childhood without appropriate treatment sentences them to a substandard future, who among us would hesitate to act? The problem is that it is not entirely clear that we have gotten this right, and it is most certainly not clear that what appears to be Bipolar Disorder in children will follow the child into adulthood.

What is this animal we call Childhood Bipolar Disorder?
In adulthood, it is well-accepted that Bipolar Disorder involves discrete periods of Mania, and discrete periods of Depression. Of course, there are the murkier cases involving Mixed episodes, though it is well-accepted that such cases do indeed occur in adulthood. However, as we descend retrospectively into childhood, the waters become murkier and murkier. What does Bipolar Disorder look like in early adolescence? What about late prepubescence? And what about the very young? A review of the literature (Papalos and Papalos, 2006, Youngstrom, 2005, Danner-Ogston, et al, in press, Geller, 1997, etc.) reveals opinions that span the spectrum from the very conservative (let’s keep things as they were), to the very liberal (let’s diagnose in infancy). Each opinion is justified in some sort of logical argument or another, but most importantly, there is no consensus, and strong evidence supporting a call for caution.

Conservative Approach
The conservative approach to diagnosing Bipolar Disorder in children is to keep things as they are. In other words, the child/adolescent must meet the criteria for major depression, and for Mania, in terms of severity of symptoms, and duration of the moods. In this approach, the child would need to evidence severe depression for a week, in most cases, and would have to evince chronic mania for the better part of a week, before they could be considered for the diagnosis. In instances in which there was thought to be a Mixed Episode, these duration criteria could be waived, but the severity criteria could not.

Liberal Approach
In the more liberal approach, opinions vary, but there is a general relaxation of the duration and frequency criteria, to the point that in the most liberal approach, children can cycle from minute to minute! Also noted in the more liberal approach is the tendency to re-define what comprises depression or mania in children, with the most liberal approach defining mania as consisting primarily of chronic and severe irritation, or general anger issues. Depression, in this approach, may primarily manifest as anger, or social withdraw.

Interim Conclusion
The problem with the conservative approach, in some professionals’ views, is that we are potentially missing children who should have the diagnosis and treatment. And indeed, when a child or adolescent has significant emotional or behavioral issues, and is not treated, their life does often go from bad to worse. The problem with the liberal approach is that treatment, which is led by the medical approach, involves the introduction of potentially toxic psychotropics into the child’s body. Most of the psychotropics used to treat Bipolar Disorder in children and adolescents are prescribed ‘off label,’ without the sanctioning of the FDA, and without knowledge of the potential long-term side effects of such treatment on the developing body and brain.

Current Research
Because of the saliency of this particular area of mental health, there has been a great deal of research in the past decade or more. NIMH, NAMI, and other organizations have funded multiple studies to answer questions related to this debate. Books have been written on this, including the infamous The Bipolar Child (Papalos and Papalos, 2006, and earlier editions), The Everything Parents Guide to Children With Bipolar Disorder, and others. So what is the state of the science? What do we know?

According to Papalos and Papalos, in an informal research study which involved polling parents who had identified their child as Bipolar, there was a great deal of diversity in what might be seen in a child or adolescent with Bipolar Disorder. Papalos identified traits of moodiness, nightmares, sleep problems, sensory integration difficulties, extreme temper tantrums, depression, food sensitivities, anxiety, hyperactivity, impulsivity, distractibility, oppositional traits, and other traits. Indeed, they were of the mind that because Bipolar Disorder spanned such an array of symptoms (many of which were found in other childhood mental disorders, such as Autism, Asperger’s, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, etc), one should diagnose this disorder first, and then consider additional diagnoses if the symptoms were not fully explained by the first diagnosis. While Papalos and Papalos’s conclusions were by far the most extreme, there are many researchers who feel that a much more liberal interpretation of what Bipolar Disorder is in children, is needed, though they do not go to the extremes that Papalos and Papalos do. The consensus seems to be that children with Bipolar Disorder will not have the same measures of frequency and duration noted in adulthood. Most liberal diagnosticians maintain that children and young adolescents could ‘cycle daily, and that they may not demonstrate traditional mania, and that their depression may not necessarily be debilitating. Most liberal diagnosticians also maintain that irritability is part of what may be mania, and that Bipolar Children seem to have severe anger problems. Questions that have not be definitively answered center around differential diagnoses (is it Bipolar Disorder, or PTSD, or both? etc).

What if the ‘liberals’ are right?
If the liberal approach holds up to the scrutiny of time and research, then there are many children who have been provided with attention and treatment, rightly so, which may prevent future problems. Such a proactive approach may well improve public opinion of the mental health field, as well, and may increase funding directed towards mental health problems, or insurance recognition of mental health problems.

What if the ‘conservatives’ are right?
If the conservatives are right, then we potentially have a public disaster on our hands. Treatment of children and young adolescents with bipolar medications is unproven, sometimes-to-often ineffective, and marred by the many side effects and potential long term damage that could occur. bipolar medications can cause agitation, increased behavioral difficulty, moodiness, weight gain, shaking, tiredness, and potentially more serious problems, such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, a sometimes deadly skin disease, tremors, seizures, and death. As well, it may be that teaching a child that they have less control over their emotions and behaviors than a typical child, or that they have no control, could cause them to give up and to actually worsen in their behaviors. Also, there are some that opine that parlaying medications on children at a young age imbues in them a strong belief that substances are the answer for their ills … and how far down the road from that is the belief that illicit substances may be the answer?

How well are we doing?
Given all the concerns, how are we doing? What do we know about the effectiveness of the more liberal diagnostic and treatment approach? Reviewing the literature, the results are not encouraging. For instance, Dr. March, of Duke University, points out that we have no idea whether children diagnosed at the age of 5 to 7 will actually be Bipolar when they are older. In the NYT article, it is noted that most of the research suggests that these kids are most likely to have depression as they get older, rather than Bipolar Disorder. Generally, it appears that medications often do not address the bulk of the symptoms, and it does appear that their strongest effect is in the sedation category, which is a double-edged sword. Specifically, the child or young adolescent is more manageable, and less volatile, but they also are sometimes less able to focus on academics, and may experience major personality shifts with undesirable effects on their social success. Mood stabilization is often an elusive goal, even with heavy psychopharmacological intervention, and in some instances the mood becomes more unstable during pharmacological treatment. The side effects also often become an issue in and of themselves, necessitating additional medications, diet changes, changes in academic approaches, and even requiring adjustments in the general expectations of the child’s ability to function in their world. In some instances, the medications make the child potentially eligible for disability benefits, because of the debilitating effects they have on their functioning. As well, in many instances the pharmacological interventions are being guided by overworked and overwhelmed child and adolescent psychiatrists, who cannot spend the time needed to fully evaluate the child and their needs, and who often are pressured by pharmacological companies, directly and indirectly, to prescribe a particular medication, or to identify a certain portion of their caseload as Bipolar. Overall, even if one accepts the thinking that Bipolar Disorder in children and adolescents is under diagnosed, and that they should be treated with medications, the end result is often partial to full failure in addressing the issue.

Are we missing something?
Researcher completed by Martin Teicher, M.D., Ph.D., (2000) suggests that early trauma, be it sexual, physical, or verbal, has a potentially long-term effect on the developing brain. Indeed, his research indicates that such trauma, and particularly (interestingly) verbal abuse, effects long-term changes in the corpus callosum, and in the precuses, as well as in the hypothalamus, as well as in other areas. The corpus callosum is important in balancing out the right and left brain, and those with underdeveloped corpus collosi tend to be very reactive or unbalanced in their approach to problem solving (interpret: overly emotional and emotionally reactive … in other words, more likely to be angry, violent, or irrational). Those with underdeveloped precueses tend to be less logical, less integrated in their personality, and generally inappropriate in their reactions. Thus, in his view, many of the behavioral and mood issues that we see in the prepubescent or post-pubescent child may be a result of those early childhood experiences. In other words, he is proving something clinicians on the front line have thought all along: subjecting a child to abuse tends to cause them to experience major personality shifts, and they are often violent and emotional. If Dr. Teicher prevails at the end of the day, it may well be that what we thought was Childhood Bipolar Disorder was actually a trauma disorder. And the implications of that: The difference between labeling the child as potentially temporarily impaired, or permanently impaired.

Conclusion:
There is much debate about the frequency by which Childhood Bipolar Disorder occurs in children and adolescents. There is no questioning the conclusion that this is an important area to explore, as the implications for this disorder over the lifetime of a person are serious. However, we need to get it right, because if not, we will either have undiagnosed cases that permanently alter the child’s/adolescent’s chances for success, or we will have over medicated children struggling to progress under the weight of the side effects of unnecessary medication. Ultimately, it is science that should clear the air … good, logical, replicable science that will show us what Bipolar Disorder probably looks like, if it indeed exists, in Children. Until we have a scientific consensus, however, caution seems advisable, and the more conservative approach would be to consider other, less long-term conceptualizations for the child’s symptom set.

Bibliography

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Copyright June 2008. These articles cannot be used in any fashion without the explicit permission of the author, except for individual use.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition, and is for the sole purpose of providing alternate perspectives. If you feel that a mental health condition exists in yourself or the person you are reading this article for, you are advised to seek out psychological or psychiatric services.

Author: Jonathan Gransee

Jonathan M. Gransee, Psy.D. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Gransee Information on Natural Remedies for Bipolar Disorder and Manic Phase of Bipolar Disorder.

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The depression in bipolar disorder is not necessarily the mild type, especially in adults. It may appear like a clinical form of the disorder such as dysthymia or seasonal affective disorder; or it could appear more severely as a form of major depression. When you are depressed in bipolar type of disorder, you tend to experience painful sadness, negative thinking, and indifference to things that used to bring you happiness.

You feel woebegone but cannot bring yourself to do anything about it; and you feel drained and tired, but you cannot do anything about it because you still can’t get enough sleep. Adults who suffer from bipolar disorder have been known to seriously consider suicide when they are in the depressed phase of the cycle.

In the manic phase of bipolar disorder, you are overexcited without reason. You have all of these creative and inspirational thoughts at the same time but you cannot focus on any of them long enough to make them happen. You find yourself irritable because no one understands your rapid-fire vocalizations, and they don’t seem to want to go along with your self-destructive behavior. Of course you aren’t getting a lot of sleep either, and nothing can stop you from making indecent sexual advances, buying extravagant gifts, gambling and wasting money, and generally getting nowhere.

It does not take a lot to observe either of these symptoms in an adult. However, being able to notice both sets of symptoms to make the correct diagnosis often takes careful observation of the patient so that you don’t end up with a misdiagnosis and treating them for the wrong thing. Sometimes the cycles are years apart and sometimes they can cycle several times within a single week. This is called rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. Surely you can’t identify these on your own, without the right professional help.

Author: Condrad Wemult

Click the following links for Bipolardisorder II Symptoms and even Young Children Bipolardisorder.

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Everything occurs with a reason and that’s an established fact. It has been emphasized in many subjects in school and many other places that there’s always something called ’cause and effect’ of any disease or situation; and one just can’t take place without the other.

So what are the cause and effect of bipolar disorder? The illness is evidently an effect; so what about the causes? Studies are still going on and researchers are trying to find the exact cause of bipolar disorder. Scientific prove claims that the chemical imbalance in a person’s brain has something to do with bipolar disorder. On the other hand, what makes the chemical imbalance? Some theories say that it is because of environmental triggers and heredity.

A few people think that the chemical imbalance in a person’s brain is made by lithium shortage, dog bites and osmosis. Simply that is a misinformation that brings a lot of mix-up and confusion to the minds of the people. Most scientists consider that psychological and biological explanations may be the reason of the brain’s chemical imbalance.

When you talk of biological explanation, the first matter on the list is genetics. Inheritability is a big issue and there is lots of evidence that bipolar disorder runs in the family and reflects genetic vulnerability.

Bipolar disorder is known to be caused by neurotransmitter systems. For years, scientists knew that there is a connection between mood disorders and neurotransmitters. High or low levels of dopamine, norepinephrine or dopamine cause bipolar disorder. There are also studies that suggest a change in the neurons’ receptors and sensitivity.

At present, the neurotransmitters are believed as part of the cause of bipolar disorder but their correct role is not yet proven. Further researches are still being conducted.

Environmental factors

Life is full of stressful issues, and this is the main culprit that implicates bipolar disorder manifestation. Stressful cases may pertain to job loss, death of someone you love or anything that is faced by a person. Studies show that these events results to the symptoms linked with bipolar disorder. So when bipolar is stimulated, it will soon build up and continue.

A few scientists were successful in coming up with model called Diathesis-Stress. This is a term that relates to a person being sensitive to diseases like bipolar disorder. This model says that every person inherits physical predispositions that make him/her at danger to possible problems that might be faced. In order for a disorder to happen, both the inherited tendency in addition to the stressful conditions is required.

Author: Kamran Chy Take action right now against bipolar disorder. Learn about Bipolar Disorder Symptoms first in e-know.co.cc, a very popular website for advice on bipolar disorder. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kamran_Chy Information on Natural Remedies for Bipolar Disorder and Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Anger.

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