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Child psychologist opens clinic to learn more about bipolar disorder

By Staff Writer

Research on learning disabilities and similar conditions that affect children has been extensive, but experts say there have been very few studies done on mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder. One psychiatrist has made it his goal to piece the puzzle together and discover more details about the conditions that can negatively impact a child's life.

Kiki Chang was originally a teacher before he decided to enter child psychology, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. In 1997, he decided to pursue his passion for kids in a new way: by establishing a clinic dedicated to pediatric bipolar disorder. The Stanford Pediatric Bipolar Disorders Program conducts a series of studies in hope of discovering how to detect the condition early.

Before the past decade, experts say that bipolar disorder in children had gone relatively unstudied. Chang has shifted his focus to discovering the hereditary link between children and parents who have bipolar disorder. By identifying genes that place kids at risk for developing the illness, Chang believes that managing bipolar disorder in the future may be easier.

There is no physical test that can be run to diagnose bipolar disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Instead, a physician typically makes a diagnosis based on erratic mood changes and variations in sleeping patterns. Rehabilitation facilities may be able to provide helpful resources to patients as well. 

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