26/03/2026
Bipolar Disorder — Children and Teens
World Bipolar Day is observed on Monday, March 30. Today, we continue sharing information related to children and teens.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder is not the same as the typical ups and downs every child goes through. The mood changes in bipolar disorder are more extreme, often unprovoked, and accompanied by changes in sleep, energy level, and the ability to think clearly.
▪️MANIC episodes: Children with bipolar disorder sometimes feel very happy or “up” and are much more energetic and active than usual.
▪️DEPRESSIVE episodes: Children with bipolar disorder sometimes feel very sad or “down” and are much less active than usual.
Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to better functioning and well-being over the long term.
Signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder may overlap with symptoms of other disorders that are common in young people, such as attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct problems, major depression, and anxiety disorders.
➡️ Diagnosing bipolar disorder can be complicated and requires a careful and thorough evaluation by a trained, experienced mental health professional.
➡️ With treatment, children and teens with bipolar disorder can manage their symptoms and lead full, active lives. ♥️
➡️ Symptoms:
— Intense emotions and significant changes in sleep habits, activity levels, thoughts, or behaviors.
— Episodes may be manic, depressive, or “mixed” episodes.
— These mood episodes cause symptoms that often last for several days or weeks.
— During an episode, symptoms occur every day and last for most of the day.
These mood and activity changes are very different from the child’s usual behavior and the behavior of healthy children and teens.
➡️ Children and teens having a MANIC episode may:
• Show intense happiness or silliness for long periods of time.
• Have a very short temper or seem extremely irritable.
• Talk fast about a lot of different things.
• Have trouble sleeping but do not feel tired.
• Have trouble staying focused and experience racing thoughts.
• Seem overly interested or involved in pleasurable but risky activities.
• Do risky or reckless things that show poor judgment.
• Have an inflated sense of ability, knowledge, and power.
➡️ Children and teens having a DEPRESSIVE episode may:
• Feel frequent and unprovoked sadness.
• Show increased irritability, anger, or hostility.
• Complain a lot about physical pain, such as stomachaches and headaches.
• Start sleeping a lot more.
• Have difficulty concentrating.
• Feel hopeless and worthless.
• Have difficulty communicating or maintaining relationships.
• Eat too much or too little.
• Have low energy and no interest in activities they usually enjoy.
• Think about death or have thoughts of su***de.
•••••
If your child shows signs of suicidal thinking, take these signs seriously and call your child’s health care provider.
🚨If your child is struggling or having thoughts of su***de, call or text the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. This service is confidential, free, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Source: National Institute of Mental Health
