Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that is characterized by extreme mood swings, abrupt changes in energy levels, and distorted decision making. Learn more about its symptoms and treatments here.

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What Bipolar Disorder Looks Like in Children

As a child with ADHD, I often felt misunderstood. I’m sure that I looked lazy, lost, and confused to everyone else. While in my mind, I was analyzing, examining, and exploring endless possibilities. I didn’t feel lazy at all. My mind was constantly in motion. Thoughts were racing through my brain at the speed of light, and I didn’t know how to shut them off. I wish I could have explained what was going on to someone who would understand. A child with ADHD can be frustrating for parents, but remember the child is probably frustrated as well if her outside appearance is completely opposite to what she feels inside her mind.

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Becca Colao, an inattentive adult, recommends these strategies for living better with ADHD: - Set a timer to get yourself going on a boring task. - Put on high-energy music to rev yourself up before a long meeting, difficult chore, or anything else that tends to let your mind wander. - Hire a friend to check in on you periodically during a big project. If you’re off task, they can nudge you back to work. - Change up the view. When you find yourself getting distracted, move to a different location — outside, or maybe a coffee shop down the block. Moving locations can “reset” your brain when you get bored.

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It’s easy to write off a bad mood as just bipolar brain chemistry. This is an easy trap to fall into — one that can even help patients and family members cope from time to time. But for the most part, people with bipolar disorder react to daily events no differently than does everyone else — not everything is mania or depression. You have a right to your feelings. Don’t assume that every outburst or moment of sadness is just another “episode.”

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