Overview

Bipolar disorder, at one time called manic depression disorder, is a mental health condition that can cause rapid mood changes. These rapid mood changes may cause problems with your child's schooling, family life, friendships, and ability to function. Bipolar disorder is very uncommon in children and youth. It should be diagnosed by a healthcare provider who has specialized expertise in this area.

There is no cure for bipolar disorder. But it can be helped with certain medicines prescribed and carefully monitored by a healthcare provider. Counselling may also help. It is important for your child to take any medicines exactly as prescribed, even when they feel well. Your child may need lifelong treatment.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Give your child medicines exactly as prescribed. Do not stop or change a medicine without talking to your healthcare provide first. Your child may need to try different combinations of medicines to find what works best.
• Tell your healthcare provider all the medicines your child is taking, including vitamins and supplements.
• Give your child's medicines on schedule to keep your child's moods even. When your child feels good, you may think that the medicines aren't needed, but it is important that your child keeps taking them.
• Make sure your child goes to any counselling sessions. Call and talk with your child's counsellor if your child cannot go to a session or does not think the sessions are helping.
• Have your child get at least an hour of activity on most days of the week. Let them choose activities that they enjoy such as swimming, soccer, walking, or skating.
• Make sure your child gets enough sleep. Keep your child's room dark and quiet, and try to have your child go to bed at the same time every night. Do not allow any electronics in your child’s room during the night.
• Make sure your child eats a variety of healthy foods. This includes vegetables and fruits, whole grain foods, and protein foods.
• Where possible, work with your child to lower their stress and help manage your child's time. Physical activity, slow deep breathing, and mindfulness can help.
• Make sure your child does not use alcohol or drugs. Physical activity, or slow deep breathing, and mindfulness can help.
• Learn the early signs of your child's mood changes so you can take steps to help your child feel better. It might be helpful to track your child’s mood changes using a journal or mood log.
• Encourage your child to ask for help from friends and family when they need it. Your child may need help with daily chores when they are feeling low. Or they may need help with their mood when they are feeling unusually high-energy or irritable.

What should you do if your child has bipolar disorder?

• Learn about bipolar disorder and signs that the condition is getting worse.
• Remind your child that you love them.
• Make a plan with all family members about how to care for your child when symptoms are extreme.
• Talk about your fears and concerns and those of other family members. Seek counselling if needed.
• Do not focus attention only on your child who is in treatment.
• Remind yourself that it will take time for changes to occur. It can take time to figure out the right medicines, strategies, and routines to help your child do well. Like with other medical conditions that are properly managed and treated, people can do very well in life when living with a mental illness such as bipolar disorder.
• Do not blame yourself for your child's condition.
• Know your legal rights and the legal rights of your child. Support groups or counsellors can help you with this information.
• Take care of yourself. It is difficult to care for your child and others in your family if you are exhausted. Keep up with your own interests, such as your career, hobbies, and friends. Use exercise, positive self-talk, deep breathing, and other relaxing exercises to help lower your stress.
• Give yourself time to cope with your emotions. You may need to cope with emotions such as anger, fear, and frustration. These emotions may also come up at other times during your child’s growth and development. Support from others, taking care of yourself, and coping strategies will be important for your well-being and to best care for your child.
• If you are having a hard time with your feelings or with your relationship with your child, talk with a counsellor.