“Going to Extremes; Experts Question Rise in Pediatric Diagnosis of Bipolar Illness, a Serious Mood Disorder” Written by Sandra G. Boodman The Washington Post February 15, 2005

Bipolar Disorder Also known as Manic Depression Also known as Manic Depression Mood Disorder Mood Disorder Usually diagnosed in adolescence or early adulthood Usually diagnosed in adolescence or early adulthood Serious and disabling mood disorder that causes an increased risk of suicide if untreated Serious and disabling mood disorder that causes an increased risk of suicide if untreated Believed to be caused by genetics and poor environment Believed to be caused by genetics and poor environment Affects 2.3 million Americans Affects 2.3 million Americans

Symptoms/Behaviors Cycles of: Cycles of: –Depressive lows  Thoughts of death and suicide  Feelings of worthlessness –Manic highs  Sleeplessness for days  Grandiose delusions

Pediatric Bipolar Illness Psychiatrists and child psychologists in the Washington area and other places say that there has been a dramatic increase in the past decade Psychiatrists and child psychologists in the Washington area and other places say that there has been a dramatic increase in the past decade Studies funded by NIMH are still underway yet doctors are still prescribing aggressive treatment because they feel it will limit the damage that would occur if left untreated Studies funded by NIMH are still underway yet doctors are still prescribing aggressive treatment because they feel it will limit the damage that would occur if left untreated All of this information on the illness is controversial because it is a fairly new development and has not been tested and studied All of this information on the illness is controversial because it is a fairly new development and has not been tested and studied

Pediatric Bipolar Illness Behaviors* Severe tantrums Severe tantrums Severely agitated Severely agitated Aggressive Aggressive Silliness Silliness Separation Anxiety Separation Anxiety Night terrors Night terrors Hypersexual Hypersexual –Children who imitate stars or use explicit language *These are controversial Assault towards parents Assault towards parents Fidgetiness Fidgetiness Lying Lying Social Anxiety Social Anxiety Grandiose Grandiose –Tells authority figures how to think or do things Rapid mood swings Rapid mood swings –Several times in one hour

How is it being treated? Most children are given many different combinations of drugs Most children are given many different combinations of drugs Some drugs are mood-stabilizing drugs that adults take Some drugs are mood-stabilizing drugs that adults take A large amount of these drugs have not been tested on children A large amount of these drugs have not been tested on children Most of these drugs can have life threatening effects: Most of these drugs can have life threatening effects: –Diabetes –Significant weight gain –Hormonal problems that can lead to infertility –Fatal blood disorders Some side affects of the drugs found in children: Some side affects of the drugs found in children: –Hair loss –Drooling –One side of child’s face drooped

Problems with the Diagnosis Adequate testing has not been done or examined to have an understanding of this disorder in children Adequate testing has not been done or examined to have an understanding of this disorder in children Doctors are diagnosing too quickly Doctors are diagnosing too quickly There is not an understanding of how the medication will affect children down the road There is not an understanding of how the medication will affect children down the road There has been cases of misdiagnosis There has been cases of misdiagnosis

Case Study 18 mo. is taking lithium for the diagnosis 18 mo. is taking lithium for the diagnosis –Consequences of this drug for such a young child is unknown 14 year old girl was misdiagnosed with Pediatric Bipolar Disease when it was actually a tumor on her pituitary gland. 14 year old girl was misdiagnosed with Pediatric Bipolar Disease when it was actually a tumor on her pituitary gland. –Experienced hair loss –Upset with parents for believing the doctor without second opinions, research, etc.

Impact on Teachers As prospective teachers this is something that we should be aware of. As prospective teachers this is something that we should be aware of. We need to understand the health issues that are facing children so that we can have a better understanding of our students who could possibly face this issue. We need to understand the health issues that are facing children so that we can have a better understanding of our students who could possibly face this issue. The children diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder could very well be one of our future students and having a background, even if it is small, can help us be aware of such issues so that we can be informative to parents about behaviors, etc. The children diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder could very well be one of our future students and having a background, even if it is small, can help us be aware of such issues so that we can be informative to parents about behaviors, etc.

Bibliography Boodman, S.G. (2005, February 15). The Washington Post. F01. Retrieved 2/16/2005 from ProQuest: National Newspapers 5 database.Boodman, S.G. (2005, February 15). The Washington Post. F01. Retrieved 2/16/2005 from ProQuest: National Newspapers 5 database.