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Bipolar disorder isn’t just an adult condition, it can begin in childhood.

Children with BD experience extreme mood swings, irritability, and intense emotional highs and lows. It’s often misdiagnosed as ADHD, anxiety, or defiance.

This project explores how emotional neglect in childhood can be linked to the early development of bipolar disorder.

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Emotional Neglect & BD: Watson et al. (2013)

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Emotional Neglect & BD: Watson et al. (2013)

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Watson et al. (2013) studied childhood trauma in relation to bipolar disorder. They found that emotional neglect was the most significant factor predicting bipolar symptoms later in life. Although their research focused on adults, the trauma occurred in childhood, supporting the idea that early emotional environments matter.

Method: The study examined 115 adults (60 with bipolar disorder and 55 without). Participants filled out the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), which measured emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect.

Results: CTQ scores were significantly higher in people with bipolar disorder, especially for emotional neglect. Emotional neglect was the only trauma type that statistically predicted a bipolar diagnosis, even after controlling for age and gender.

Conclusion: This study supports the link between childhood trauma and bipolar disorder. Emotional neglect may quietly shape how the brain regulates mood, possibly leading to early signs of BD in children. It emphasizes the need for trauma-informed care from a young age.

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Bipolar disorder in kids doesn’t always look like it does in adults. Signs may include:

Intense tantrums or mood swings

Racing thoughts or nonstop talking

Sleeplessness or hyperactivity

Risk-taking or acting “too grown-up”

These are often confused with ADHD, trauma, or being “bad” when they may actually be early signs of bipolar disorder.

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What If a Child Is Emotionally Neglected?

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What If a Child Is Emotionally Neglected?

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Let’s say a child never hears:
“It’s okay to cry,” or “I’m here for you.”

They grow up feeling ignored, unsupported, or emotionally invisible.

Later, they might develop emotional outbursts, withdrawal, or risky behaviors that get labeled as “disruptive” or “defiant.”

In reality, their emotional dysregulation may be tied to early neglect and could evolve into bipolar symptoms during adolescence.

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Childhood BD intersects with several areas of psychology:

Developmental Psych: Early trauma shapes brain structure & emotional coping

Abnormal Psych: BD in children doesn’t follow typical adult patterns
Clinical Psych: Trauma-informed care is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.

This research helps clinicians understand that early life matters, especially when it comes to mental health.

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In this short documentary, Dorothy O'Donnell shares the emotional journey of raising her daughter Sadie, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age five. Sadie experienced intense mood swings, including rages, impulsivity, and sadness, that were initially misunderstood by doctors and teachers.

Dorothy describes the difficulty of getting a proper diagnosis, the impact on family life, and the stigma around childhood mental illness. Through therapy, support, and medication, Sadie begins to find stability.

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If you know a child who:

Has intense mood swings

Seems “too sensitive”

Acts impulsively or “out of control”

Gets labeled as defiant or dramatic

it might not be “just a phase".

It might be bipolar disorder, trauma, or emotional pain they haven’t learned to express yet.

What they need is empathy, not punishment.

Before You Judge a Child…
They need someone to say:
“I see you. I believe you. I’m here.”

Childhood mental health matters and when we listen early, we can truly change lives.

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Bipolar disorder care is recognizing the patient's situation, offering emotional support, and cooperating to control the illness. This entails being transparent, being aware of triggers, and establishing a secure and encouraging workplace. It also entails looking after yourself to avoid burnout and make sure you can provide your loved one with effective support.

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Bipolar disorder (BD) consists of alternating states of mania and depression. States of mania lead to lots of energy, higher self-esteem, less sleep, and higher agitation and irritability. States of depression lead to fatigue, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, excessive sleeping, and loss of interest and concentration. There can also be a state when the patient is experiencing both mania and depression, which is termed "mixed". Treating BD depends on which state the patient is in and usually focuses on immediate relief of symptoms and bringing the patient to a stable mood.

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In the 1970s, treatments like lithium and chlorpromazine were focused on. In the 1980s and 1990s, the focus was shifted toward antiepileptic drugs such as valproate and carbamazepine. More recently, a trial was done comparing 13 different agents used from 1980 to 2010, which deemed antipsychotic drugs most effective and tolerable compared to lithium and antiepileptic drugs for short-term treatment. The three top antipsychotic drugs were olanzapine, risperidone, and haloperidol. Although lithium was found to be the best treatment for the long term.

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Treating states of depression was found to be more difficult than treating mania states. Antidepressants are super controversial in the treatment of bipolar depression. This is due to little evidence that they help in treating bipolar depression. Bipolar depression and depressive disorder were formerly thought to be similar, resulting in them being combined in clinical trials. A double-blind trial was conducted, giving patients with bipolar depression either a mood stabilizer and an antidepressant or a mood stabilizer and a placebo to see if antidepressants do aid in treatment. Results concluded that 23.5% of patients receiving the antidepressant had a durable recovery, while 27.3% of patients who received the placebo had a durable recovery, meaning that the antidepressant did not improve outcomes.

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Along with medication, therapy can be effective in treating and managing BD. Family-focused therapy, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Dialectical behavior therapy, and group psychoeducation have proved to be beneficial in coping with BD and improving relationships.

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Both cognitive and emotional performance are greatly impacted by bipolar disorder, which causes a variety of difficulties for individuals. Cognitive impairments, including trouble with attention, memory, and executive functions, can be seen during both manic and depressive episodes. These difficulties may impact connections, work, and day-to-day living.

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During Manic Episodes:

Individuals may experience racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, and a decreased need for sleep, which can impair their ability to focus on tasks and make decisions.

During Depressive Episodes:

Concentration, memory recall, and information processing can be significantly affected, making it difficult to learn new information or remember past events.

Executive Function Deficits:

Challenges with planning, organizing, and problem-solving can also be present, impacting daily activities and decision-making.

Persistent Deficits:

Even during periods of remission, some individuals may continue to experience cognitive impairments, particularly in areas like verbal memory, processing speed, and attention.

Impact on Social Cognition:

Individuals with bipolar disorder may also exhibit deficits in social cognitive abilities, including understanding others' perspectives, recognizing emotions, and regulating their own emotions.

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Mood Swings

Emotional Dysregulation

Heightened Emotional Reactivity

Anxiety and Stress

Impact on Relationships

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Bipolar Disorder Treatment in London & Online | Therapy Central

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Found on Google from therapy-central.com

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This picture shows the vicious cycle of someone who has BD:

Thoughts can range from "I'm on top of the world!" to "What have I done, who am I?"

Feelings can switch between arrogance, euphoria, optimism to depression, and loneliness.

Behaviors can be described as risky behavior, increased sexual drive, and speaking very quickly to complete isolation.

In the body, it can show up as insomnia, agitation, and restlessness to oversleeping, change in appetite, and low energy.

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Signs to show when caring for someone with Bipolar

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Signs to show when caring for someone with Bipolar

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Caring for someone with bipolar disorder entails understanding their difficulties, actively promoting their well-being, and offering both emotional and practical support during manic and depressed phases. When necessary, this entails urging them to get professional assistance, providing consolation, and listening well.

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The mental and emotional health of caregivers can be greatly impacted by providing care for someone with bipolar disorder, underscoring the connection between psychological concepts and caregiving. Increased stress, worry, despair, and caregiver burnout can result from the mood swings and behavioral abnormalities associated with bipolar disorder. Effective support and care require an understanding of the psychological effects of bipolar disorder on both the patient and their caregivers.

Psychological Impact on Caregivers

Stress and Anxiety: Caregivers often experience elevated levels of stress and anxiety due to the unpredictable nature of bipolar disorder, potential for crisis situations, and the challenges of managing daily life.

Depression and Caregiver Burnout: The emotional toll of caregiving can lead to depressive symptoms and even burnout, where caregivers feel physically and emotionally exhausted.

Burden and Guilt: Caregivers may feel a significant burden due to the demands of care and experience feelings of guilt or helplessness, particularly if they feel they cannot fully manage the situation.

Impact on Relationships: The emotional intensity of bipolar disorder can strain relationships, leading to conflict, distance, and even relationship breakdowns.

Understanding the Psychopathology of Bipolar Disorder:

Mood Instability: Bipolar disorder is characterized by dramatic shifts in mood, from episodes of mania or hypomania to periods of depression, which can be challenging for both the individual and their caregivers.

Impact on Behavior and Relationships: These mood shifts can manifest as changes in behavior, such as increased irritability, impulsivity, or withdrawal, which can significantly impact relationships and daily life.

Need for Professional Support: Understanding the psychological mechanisms behind bipolar disorder, such as the role of neurochemicals and brain structure, can inform interventions and support strategies.

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1. Medication Management

Mood stabilizers (like lithium), antipsychotics, and sometimes antidepressants are often prescribed to reduce the severity and frequency of mood episodes.

2. Psychotherapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is widely used to help individuals identify negative thought patterns, improve emotional regulation, and develop problem-solving skills.

3. Cognitive Rehabilitation

Some people engage in cognitive remediation or brain training programs to strengthen memory, attention, and executive functioning.

4. Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Regular exercise, consistent sleep, a healthy diet, and avoiding alcohol or drugs can help stabilize mood and improve overall brain function.

5. Mindfulness and Stress Reduction

Techniques like mindfulness meditation, yoga, and deep breathing help individuals stay present, reduce stress, and manage emotional swings more effectively.

6. Support Systems

Support groups, family involvement, and open communication with trusted individuals play a vital role in managing the emotional burden of bipolar disorder.

7. Routine and Structure

Keeping a predictable daily schedule helps regulate sleep, reduce stress, and minimize triggers for mood episodes.