What are the signs that a bipolar child will need hospitalization?

Many: Excessive anger leading to a threat against family members or friends, suicidiality, destructiveness, drug use, harassment, and elopement.

Safety first: Any acute behavioral changes in a child with bipolar disorder is concerning.However, when these changes become so severe that they could present a risk to the lives of the child or any other persons, hospitalization might be indicated.Any acute changes should always be discussed with a counselor and a child psychiatrist.

The big three: Risk of harm to self, risk of harm to others, sustained impairment in function. What do I mean? If a child is reaching for knives, running into the middle of the street with running traffic, putting a dog in the refrigerator. Or even saying with a specific plan and detail how they will end their lives or likewise homicidal thoughts. These are clinical examples from the field. Take care.