Question 1

is insecure attachments as a child associated with bipolar disorder as an adult?

Accepted Answer

No: There is no evidence that bipolar disorder comes from attachment difficulties. It is generally a genetic illness.

Question 2

how can bipolar disorder be different in teens/children and adults?

Accepted Answer

Complicated answer: Most commonly, symptoms don't manifest until late teens or early twenties.  Children who are diagnosed as bipolar can be very energetic, have less need for sleep, temper tantrums and aggression are out of range for the precipitant.  They can also be grandiose and inappropriately sexual for their age.  Often the first episode in a child is depression.  Caution i f there is a family hx of bp.

Question 3

how is bipolar disorder different in teens and children compared to adults?

Accepted Answer

Good Question: The whole issue of bipolar disorder in children is controversial, mostly because what we call bipolar disorder in children tends to look different than with adults. Chidlren with bipolar disorder tend to be more irritable, and their moods tend to be more fluctuating or mixed. There are not usually the clear cycles of mania and depression that occur more with teens and adults.

Question 4

someone i know will never see a psychiatrist for a bipolar disorder though the adult makes everyone's life miserable. how to get her to cooperate?

Accepted Answer

Mental Illness: Be gentle but firm and keep yourself as healthy as possible no matter what the other person does.  Please look into the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI).  They outreach to family and friends.  Peace and good health.

Question 5

what causes bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Multifactorial: Bipolar disorder is a type of mood disorder. It's origin can be multifactorial, genetics plays a big role into it, so having a  family member with bipolar disorder or other mood disorder puts you at a increase risk compared to the general population. Other things like biological factors such as history of drugs can presipitate bipolar like symptoms.

Question 6

have bipolar disorder a test?

Accepted Answer

History: No lab or radiologic test, nor physical exam, can test for bipolar. Perhaps one day as there are strong indications it is a brain condition with a genetic background. But for now, it's a patient's history of modd changes, cognition and behavior that makes the diagnosis. In truth, this method works quite well, having been refined since antiquity.

Question 7

can kids get bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes, most patients start bipolar disorder in childhood.  The earlier a child is treated, the less likely the child will continue on to have bipolar symptoms in adulthood. See: http://www.Thebalancedmind.Org/  also see the great book by janet wozniak, md "is your child bipolar?".

Question 8

is bipolar disorder hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Genetics: Bipolar disorder has been found to have some hereditary basis. This doesn't mean that there is a 100% chance that the offsoring of someone with bipolar d/o will enx up with it as well, but rather there is more likelihood as compared to the general population. I believe bipolar d/ o is now the 2nd highezt of mental d/o, being surpassed by adhd.

Question 9

how to manage bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Treating bipolar : Successful management of bipolar disorder involved medication as indicated, avoiding alcohol and substance use, good sleep habits, and regular exercise.

Question 10

how is bipolar disorder diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Clinical exam: Although in the future we may have blood tests or functional MRI scans that can diagnose the disorder, for now the only way to diagnose bipolar is to see a counselor or doctor who can diagnose the condition based on history and exam.

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Doctor answers about:

Bipolar disorder in adults

A member asked:

Is insecure attachments as a child associated with bipolar disorder as an adult?

A member asked:

How can bipolar disorder be different in teens/children and adults?

A member asked:

How is bipolar disorder different in teens and children compared to adults?

A member asked:

Someone i know will never see a psychiatrist for a bipolar disorder though the adult makes everyone's life miserable. how to get her to cooperate?

A member asked:

What causes bipolar disorder?

A member asked:

Have bipolar disorder a test?

A member asked:

Can kids get bipolar disorder?

A member asked:

Is bipolar disorder hereditary?

A member asked:

How to manage bipolar disorder?

A member asked:

How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?

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