ught not to affe children under age 18. Psychiatrists today maintain that fewer
ID: 243010 • Letter: U
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ught not to affe children under age 18. Psychiatrists today maintain that fewer than 1 percent of children have bipolar disorder However, the percentage of children being diagnosed with bipolar disorder has soared since 2000, along wit the publication of many books written by parents of affected children, and appearances on TV talk shows of affected children and their parents. a. Does this pattern of increasing disease incidence suggest a genetic or an environmental cause? b. Suggest another explanation for the recent apparent increase in incidence of bipolar disorder in children. c. Most children are diagnosed with bipolar disorder based on their answers to questions. What might a genetic diagnosis entail?Explanation / Answer
Bipolar disorder (BPAD) is a serious mental disorder also known as manic-depressive illness or manic depression. Bipolar disorders usually develop in older teenagers and young adults, children younger than that also can be affected. Children with bipolar disorder go through extreme mood swings. The manic episode is comprised of extreme happiness or elation and the depressive episodes of sadness or “ down”. These episodes will be extremes of normal mood swings related to the growth and can not be managed or that will adversely affect the normal life. The bipolar disorder will increase the risk of affected children to anxiety disorders and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders.
a. Even though the exact cause is unknown, there are many contributing factors for increasing bipolar disorders in children. Genetic factors play an important role in bipolar disorders. Genetic predisposition increases the child’s risk of developing bipolar disorder. The first degree relatives with mood disorders increase the child’s chances to be affected by the same, however, it is not necessary that every child with the family history of bipolar disorder will develop the same.
Environmental factors also play an important role in the development of bipolar disorder along with heredity. Increased stress of today’s life affects the children also adversely. Lack of proper support system can accelerate the morbidity. The increased rates of factors like obesity, smoking, substance abuse in children add to the problem. The structure and function of the brain can also affect the chance of bipolar disorder.
b.
The rate of increase of children affected with bipolar disorder is sharp in recent years. This may indicate a change in clinical diagnostic practices. Bipolar disorder is currently an over diagnosed disease. In some cases, the children with extreme irritability also are diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to lack of proper diagnosis.
c.
Genetic testing in families with a history of the bipolar disease is very useful in prevention and management of it. The modern practices demand the diagnosis should depend upon many factors than the traditional quiz. The genetic testing of (Pharmacogenomics) helps in identifying genetic markers, called pharmacogenetic markers which are effective in the treatment of disorders. The genetic testing can play an important role in managing the disorders and the contributing factor of bipolar disorder can be controlled to prevent the disease.
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