Children and teens who have a parent with bipolar disorder are 14 times more likely than their peers to have bipolar-like symptoms themselves , and are two to three times more likely to be found to have an anxiety or mood disorder , such as depression , according to a report in the March issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry . More than 10 percent of the kids with a bipolar parent had signs of a bipolar-spectrum , mood or anxiety disorder . When both parents are bipolar , children are 3.6 times more likely to have bipolar disorder than children with only one parent with the psychiatric condition . Bipolar disorder , which is also known as manic-depressive illness , affects 5.7 million people over age 18 in the United States . The condition is characterized by extreme fluctuations in energy , mood , and the ability to function . For example , someone experiencing an `` episode '' may have a manic state of euphoria for a period of time , followed by a bout of severe depression . Although bipolar disorder may run in families , it 's not guaranteed that children of bipolar parents will develop the condition too . `` I do n't want parents to think ' I have bipolar , so my kids have bipolar , ' '' says Boris Birmaher , M.D. , of the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , and author of the new study , called the Pittsburgh Bipolar Offspring Study . `` Yes , these kids are at a higher risk , but that does n't necessarily mean your child will have it . '' Health.com : Bipolar disorder is different for women . In the study , Birmaher and colleagues looked at 233 parents with bipolar disorder and their 388 children , ages 6 to 18 . They were compared with a control group of 143 parents and 251 children with no family history of the condition . Overall , 10.6 percent of the children with a bipolar parent had signs of a bipolar spectrum disorder ( which includes a range of symptoms from severe to less so ) or a mood or anxiety disorder . In comparison , only two children , or 0.8 percent , in the control group had such symptoms . It 's not clear whether genes , environment or a combination of both are responsible for the link , or possibly greater awareness and diagnosis of psychiatric conditions in bipolar families . Health.com : How a bipolar patient learned to manage mania . However , Birmaher says identifying the condition at an earlier age may ultimately help young people . `` The longer you wait , the more complicated the condition could become , '' Birmaher says . Previous studies have suggested that it can take 10 years of symptoms before people get a correct diagnosis and proper treatment . `` Ten years is a long time -- especially in the life of a child , '' he says . The condition is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be mistaken for depression , attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or one of the disruptive behavior disorders . Signs of a manic episode include increased energy , extreme irritability , racing thoughts , spending sprees , abuse of drugs ( particularly cocaine ) , and increased sexual drive . A depressive episode may range from disruptive sleeping patterns to thoughts of death or suicide . `` The chronic highs and lows are only two manifestations of the condition , '' says Gary Sachs , M.D. , director of the bipolar clinic and research program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston . `` But there are plenty of people who live a full , functional life and still have bipolar disorder . '' Health.com : How to care for and cope with a bipolar spouse . Bipolar disorder can not be cured , and is treated with mood-stabilizing medications like lithium , as well as psychotherapy , and psychosocial intervention . The ongoing study will follow this group of parents and children to explore further bipolar triggers including stress , family interactions , and genetics . Health.com : My story : I 'm bipolar and struggle with addiction . `` This study in no way should be a reason for someone with bipolar not to have children , '' says Sachs . `` But there is a risk and that might make someone 's child who has difficulty seek help sooner . '' In adults with bipolar disorder , up to 60 percent say they had their first symptoms before the age of 21 . `` Bipolar disorder is a multidimensional condition , and it can affect a lot of things including your physical health , '' says Sachs . `` That is what we are learning from studies like this where you begin to see other psychiatric conditions . '' The National Institute of Mental Health funded the study . Birmaher has participated in pharmaceutical company-sponsored forums and a study co-author has served on the advisory boards of several pharmaceutical companies . Enter to win a monthly Room Makeover Giveaway from MyHomeIdeas.com . Copyright Health Magazine 2009 .
Children with a bipolar parent are 14 times more likely to have bipolar - like symptoms . They 're also more likely to have a diagnosis of an anxiety or panic disorder . Bipolar disorder affects 5.7 million people over age 18 in the United States . Findings might help families recognize problem , get help for a child earlier .