Bipolar Disorder In Children: Helping Your Child Prevent Manic Episodes

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Introduction

Key points

The more you know about bipolar disorder, the better you will be able to help your child or adolescent cope with this lifelong illness. There are many steps your child can take to help avoid manic episodes and to recognize and deal with an episode when symptoms begin. Your child should:

• Exercise, eat a balanced diet, get a good night's sleep, and keep a consistent schedule to reduce minor mood swings that often lead to more severe episodes of mania.
• Take medications according to the doctor's instructions to help reduce the number of manic episodes.
• Avoid triggers such as caffeine, alcohol and drug use, and stress to help prevent manic episodes.
• Learn the warning signs and seek early treatment to avoid more severe, prolonged manic episodes.
• Have a plan of action in place and a support system to help follow the plan when symptoms of a manic episode start.
• Have certain people at school or at home who know how to help during a manic episode.

 What are the signs of a manic episode?

 Why is it important to control a manic episode?

 How do I help my child manage a manic episode?

 Where to go from here

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Last updated:	May 14, 2007
Author:	Ralph Poore
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC