Anger is a normal human emotion—all of us get angry, sometimes for good reason, sometimes not. Anger can be an outward expression of other emotions such as anxiety, frustration, disappointment, embarrassment, guilt, fear, and betrayal, or it can result from a traumatic experience. However, many children with bipolar disorder experience anger as a general state of being. Some children report waking up angry, experiencing anger during what would normally be a pleasant experience, or having anger sweep over them in a sudden and overpowering manner. In this context, anger is a symptom of the child’s illness. It can be an expression of depression, agitated mania, mixed states or the child’s extreme irritability.
In addition to anger as a symptom of bipolar disorder, anger may also exist as a reaction to having an illness. How do these two things differ? Anger as a symptom of bipolar is caused by the moods of the disorder and is an expression of the illness itself. But anger may also be evoked by the injustice of having a chronic illness. Your child may feel that it is unfair that he must struggle with bipolar disorder. He may be angry at himself for his inability to manage moods. He may be angry when the illness causes him to lose friends or to become the target of bullying.
Anger is a complicated part of bipolar disorder. The anger that is a symptom of the illness will subside with treatment, but other expressions of anger may need to be addressed with a therapist who can help your child come to grips with having such a serious illness. A therapist may also help your child learn to repair friendships and deal with the stigmatized reaction of others.
Excerpt from The Childhood Bipolar Disorder Answer Book published by Sourcebooks, Inc.
Copyright 2008 by Tracy Anglada and Sheryl Hakala All Rights Reserved