Overview of Bipolar Disorder in Adolescents

All over the world millions of people are affected by bipolar disorder. The majority of these millions are assumed to be adults. Adolescents, however, hold a significant percentage of those suffering with bipolar disorder and this adds extra complexity upon their lives. This can be said because having to contend with the serious symptoms of bipolar disease and adolescent bipolar disorder is just an extra hassle to the common struggles that every teenager goes through.


Outlining Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder refers to severe mood swings and was originally named manic-depressive disorder. These swings of mood range from a higher sense of euphoria (mania) to a critical down cycle known as the depressive phase. People normally take the euphoria phase as a stage of excitement and minor anxiety where the depressive phase is seen as plain sadness or fatigue. Both phases are serious in reality and they can seriously affect decision-making, concentration, energy levels, cognitive function, and other critical abilities needed to carry out the necessary functions of life.

While bipolar disorder is a serious psychiatric condition, it is not untreatable. Often, outpatient prescription therapy and counseling can help alleviate many of the negative effects of bipolar disease. However, this can be a challenge for adults. For adolescents, bipolar disorder brings further complexities.

The Beginning of Bipolar Disease and Adolescent Bipolar

In general, most people develop bipolar disorder late in their teens or their early adult years. While the development of bipolar disorder in children and younger teens is rare, it does occur. Called Early Onset Bipolar Disorder the mood swings may occur more frequently. Also, the symptoms may very well be more severe than what an adult may manifest. This may be due to the lack of emotional development in the adolescent.
How Parents Can Identify Adolescent Bipolar Disease and Adolescent Bipolar Disorder

Adolescents share many of the same symptoms that an adult will display. Noticeable symptoms common in both of them include lacking a clear attention span, severe mood swings, lethargy, extreme excitement and talkativeness, and displaying a very depressed or sad mood are all signs of the disorder.

Behavior at school can also be affected by these symptoms. Is your adolescent having trouble making and maintaining friends? Have their grades started to slip? And has he/she been involved in a few disciplinary incidents? These situations could indicate the possible presence of bipolar disorder.

Of course, a parent will not know for sure unless the adolescent is properly diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional. Usually, a board certified psychiatrist would be the most reliable source for a diagnosis. However, it is critical that parents do not make decisions as to whether or not an adolescent had a serious mental disorder. Doing so would only inhibit the youth from receiving the proper treatment.

What Type of Treatment Will Work?

Combination of medical treatment and therapy is generally what treatment for bipolar involves. Prescribed medications such as anti-depressants, mood stabilizers, and anti-anxiety prescriptions are usually given. The treatment for adolescent bipolar may last for many years and will most likely be carried into adulthood. Regardless of this, the primary concern here is not the duration of the treatment. Patients should rather focus on utilizing their treatment to establish a normal life with the least amount of problems that come from the condition. For both adults and adolescents, this is true.

by Ken P Doyle