The person is even more likely to develop depression if a relative has a history of recurring depression. "Children with Major Depression have an increased incidence of Bipolar Disorder" (Watkins). "Research findings, clinical experience, and family accounts provide substantial evidence that bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness, can occur in children and adolescents" (Disorders). Because the symptoms vary between adolescents and adults, Bipolar Disorder can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms can also resemble or occur simultaneously with those of other childhood disorders. They can also strongly resemble ordinary adolescent emotions and moods. The difference between Bipolar Disorder and ordinary emotions is that Bipolar Disorder can seriously impair functioning in school, with peers, and at home with family. Bipolar Disorder is very serious and is characterized by repeated depression, mania, or a combination of the two. These cause severe changes in mood, energy, and behavior that interfere with normal life. Manic symptoms include overly-inflated self-esteem, extreme energy increase (restlessness, sleeplessness, and insomnia), increased talking (too fast, too much, can't be interrupted), distractibility, and excessive involvement in risky behaviors. Depressive symptoms include sad or irritable moods, loss of interest in activities, considerable appetite or weight change, insomnia or oversleeping, energy loss, difficulty concentrating, or repeated thoughts of death or suicide. When manic, adolescents are prone to destructive outbursts. When depressed, one may have physical complaints. Evidence shows that Bipolar Disorder can become more severe if developed at an earlier age than if it begins in late adolescence or during adulthood.
When it begins before or soon after puberty, there is a higher chance of it becoming coupled with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD).