Paper Summary:

Bipolar disease in children, its prevalence, signs and symptoms, and treatment are discussed. No specific drugs are mentioned as the crux of the paper relates to the social development of these children. Specifically, the paper provides a quick definition of what is "normal" social development, the consequences of "abnormal" social development, and lastly what specific abnormalities or obstacles of social development affect children with bipolar disease.

From the Paper:

"Everyone can elicit some happy memory from childhood. For most individuals, an account of a favorite birthday party, camping trip, or other social event can be easily recollected. For some, this is an especially difficult challenge, and not because of an impaired memory or other cognitive deficit. They simply lack those memories; feelings of happiness, belonging to a peer group, or simply of having friends elude them. Bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depression) is a fairly well known illness that affects millions of adults worldwide and is now being diagnosed among children, some as young as 5 years old. Children with this condition are especially vulnerable, as it is during these years that their social development and interpersonal relationship skills are critically defined. Normal children do not have to consciously think about or make a coordinated effort to "make friends" usually; it is a process that seems to happen effortlessly. Bipolar children are not as fortunate, as the physical and psychological manifestations of the disease, coupled with the stigma that is usually attached to them, make healthy social development almost impossible. In response, the standard of care treatment of this disorder, at any age, is usually pharmacotherapy. But can this really help a lonely, depressed child, in their struggle to find a place in the world and be accepted?"

Visitors who viewed this Term Paper also liked these:

• Essay # 38504 : "Adults with Bipolar Disorder"
• Term Paper # 140249 : "Sport and Recreation in the Social Development of Children"
• Cause and Effect Essay # 6407 : "The Effects of Television on the Language Development of Children"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: