Mood Swings in Children

As children experience and express their surrounding differently from adults, it often becomes difficult to label mood swings as a disorder. Mood swings are common and natural, being happy, angry or even confused is all part of growing up. However, when these disturbances in the mood alternate from mania to depression, and in rare cases comes with unexplained violent behavior, it becomes a cause for worry.

Bipolar Disorder

Sudden behavior change and/or prolonged mood swings in kids is termed as childhood-onset bipolar disorder (COBPD) medically. This condition is characterized by extreme 'high' and 'low' child behavior. These rapid mood swings can be easily experienced many times within a day in a cyclic fashion. A commonly noted behavioral cycle is usually a low in the mornings followed up with an extreme high level of energy in the evening. These mood swings are the result of an over responsive sensory stimulator. Other causes for bipolar disorders in children could be the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain, especially in the neurotransmitters that regulate endorphins (chemicals responsible for positive moods), or a life changing experience.

Children who have this disorder exhibit a significant rate of transition from depression into other bipolar mood states. They can exhibit passive and/or violent behavior. Causes of this particular condition can be attributed to a family history of mood disorders and/or alcoholism on either side; maternal or paternal. Symptoms of childhood-onset bipolar disorder are wide and mostly dependent on the rapidness of the mood swing felt and the severity of the disorder; sleep disturbances, persistent sadness, hyperactivity, fidgety nature, restlessness, trouble controlling anger, high levels of anxiety, impulsiveness, etc. This bipolar disorder is accompanied with a number of social problems and learning problems as COBPD at times is accompanied with other psychiatric disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), etc, which makes it very difficult for a child to interact with peers and adults, alike.

Mood Swings in a Child

Not all mood swings are related to a disorder. Sometimes there are many extremal factors at play too. The environment a child is raised in is also vital to his/her mental health. Children need adequate nutrition in their growing years, any deficiency can lead to an imbalance or reduction in energy levels. And you won't find any kid too enthusiastic about his lack of energy or lack of physical health. An unappealing physical appearance or characteristic too can cause depression in children leading to sudden mood swings especially in company of others. Some children also inherit mood disorders or anxiety from their parents which can also cause mood swings in them.

Disturbed sleep patterns is also seen as a reason for mood swings. Inadequate sleep or excess sleep, both makes young children irritable and lethargic. A child's mental and emotional health has a direct impact on the way he/she thinks and reacts. Unhappy surroundings, difficult parents or a difficult learning environment at school all make a child prone to mood swings.

As a parent or a caretaker, you know your children better, however, it is best to get a diagnosis, for symptoms of a bipolar disorder or a tantrum through a specialist. Mood disorders affect each child differently, hence no treatment can be the same. An important point to bear in mind is that these mood swings, bipolar or otherwise is not disease, hence has no conventional cure, only management. Alternative treatments like therapy combined with depression and anxiety medication depends upon the frequency, intensity and duration of a child's symptoms and response to treatment.