Children Of Parents With Bipoar Disorder
...A Review of Behavioral, Psychological and Emotional Effects
December 3, 2007
Abstract
The behavioral, psychological and emotional effects of children under 21 years old whose parents have a clinical diagnosis of bipolar disorder will be studied. The focus of this study is to determine what role, if any, that genetic inheritance plays with children whose parents have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In order to find if there is a genetic link, there will be a comparison to children whose parents have not been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Research has suggested that there is a link between children with parents with bipolar disorder and an increased risk of developing behavioral and emotional problems. These high-risk children are also more likely to develop the disorder themselves.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a type of mood disorder. Symptoms of these mood disorders usually occur when an individual is in their twenties but symptoms can occur earlier or later in life. These mood disorders are split into two major categories. These categories are major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder. Within the category of bipolar disorder, there are two other subcategories within which an individual can be categorized. These subcategories are bipolar I and bipolar II disorder.
Bipolar I disorder is described as a disorder in which an individual experiences at least one manic or mixed episode. In a manic episode, the person’s mood becomes highly elevated. The individual may seem to be hyperactive as there is a significant behavior change. When someone is in the throws of a manic episode, they are overly animated and enthusiastic. They also may engage is extreme activities and often require little sleep. Individuals who have bipolar I disorder can also experience psychotic episodes and may have delusions or hallucinations....
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