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Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health
A Activity 8: Kimberley
Type the link below into a browser to read Kimberley’s story of
how she was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder and
gradually learned to live with the condition. Make notes in the
space below.
www.time-to-change.org.uk/blog/everyone-should-have-support-
when-going-through-mental-health-problem
The condition is also sometimes referred to as bipolar mood disorder. It tends to run
in families and may flare up at times of particular stress. Episodes can be hypomanic,
depressive or a mixture of both of these.
Hypomanic behaviour is when the person is overexcited and overactive, and this can
have a significant impact on day-to-day life. For some people it is enjoyable, but others
find it distressing and unpleasant.
Some of the symptoms of a hypomanic episode are:
• Being very excited and in a ‘high’ state
• Talking too much
• Having difficulty concentrating and having racing thoughts
• Reckless and extreme behaviours
• A decreased need for sleep.
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