Mania in Children and Adolescents
Mania is defined as an extreme increase of energy that can result in risky behavior, mood swings, random spurts of motivation, and impulsivity.
Mania is not as common in children as teens and adults, but when it occurs, it’s important for parents/caregivers to reach out for treatment.
Mania can be difficult to identify in kids.
This is because mania is not as common at younger ages, and it’s most often a sign of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder is not diagnosed until teenage and adult years.
However, mania can also be associated with substance use, brain injuries, other mental health disorders, or a negative side effect of certain meds.
As mentioned before, mania is a state of extreme high energy that typically results in risky behavior.
The difference, however, for children and teenagers who experience mania, is that theirs tends to look more like irritability than euphoria.
This is what makes it more challenging to recognize in these age groups and, subsequently, why it is less common.
Some of the key signs to look out for would be:
Big changes in mood
Big changes in typical behavior
Dramatic increase in energy
Decrease in sleep
Changes in appetite
Random spurts of energy
Wanting to make a lot of changes
Being impulsive
Chaotic relationships
It’s really important to take any signs of mania seriously.
If you believe your child is experiencing a manic episode, the best thing to do is reach out to their doctor, a therapist, or even an emergency room, depending on how serious the symptoms are.
Don’t be discouraged!
With an evaluation and proper diagnosis, this can be very manageable and they can get the support and treatment that they need.
Here’s what you can do:
If you feel that your kid or teen is showing signs of mania, and would like to reach out for a child/teen therapist for more support, reach out to Amel Counseling today for a free, 15-minute consultation call!
