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If you have a special physical or communication need that may impact your participation in any of these activities, consult the Adult Development Department prior to the program to discuss accommodations. We cannot ensure the availability of appropriate accommodations without prior notification of need.

Working with girls who have a bipolar disorder
by Betty Hunt

     In response to a direct request for information on this topic, the following has been gleaned to give a very broad overview of the characteristics of a very complex disorder.
     Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings–from overly “high” and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.
     Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include: increased energy, activity and restlessness, excessively “high” overly good, euphoric mood, extreme irritability, racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one topic to another, distractibility, little sleep needed, unrealistic beliefs in one’s abilities and powers, poor judgement, provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior, and/or denial that anything is wrong. A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for one week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.
     Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include: lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood, feelings of hopelessness or pessimism, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being “slowed down,” difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions, restlessness or irritability, sleeping too much, or can’t sleep, change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain, chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury, and/or thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts. A depressive episode is diagnosed if five or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of two weeks or longer.
     It may be helpful to think of the various mood states in bipolar disorder as a spectrum or continuous range. At one end is severe depression, above which is moderate depression and then mild low mood, which many people call “the blues” when it is short-lived but is termed “dysthymia” when it is chronic. Then there is normal or balanced mood, above which comes hypomania (mild to moderate mania), and then severe mania.
     In some people, however, symptoms of mania and depression may occur together in what is called a mixed bipolar state. Symptoms of a mixed state often include agitation, trouble sleeping, significant change in appetite, psychosis, and suicidal thinking. A person may have a very sad, hopeless mood while at the same time feeling extremely energized.
     Both children and adolescents can develop bipolar disorder. It is more likely to affect the children of parents who have the illness. Unlike many adults with bipolar disorder, whose episodes tend to be more clearly defined, children and young adolescents with the illness often experience very fast mood swings between depression and mania many times within a day. Children with mania are more likely to be irritable and prone to destructive tantrums than to be overly happy and elated. Mixed symptoms also are common in youths with bipolar disorder. Older adolescents who develop the illness may have more classic, adult-type episodes and symptoms.
     Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents can be hard to tell apart from other problems that may occur in these age groups. For example, while irritability and aggressiveness can indicate bipolar disorder, they also can be symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or other types of mental disorders more common among adults such as major depression or schizophrenia. Drug abuse also may lead to such symptoms.
     If you would like to know more regarding a specific disability that you are encountering with your Girl Scouts please contact Jean Ann Bryant at 713-292-0205, or jbryant@sjgs.org. We will work with you to find information and materials that will assist you as a Girl Scout volunteer.