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Adolescent Bipolar Disorder

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, bipolar disorder affects up to 7 percent of children and adolescents in the United States. When dealing with an adolescent with behavioral problems, it's important to rule out bipolar disorder as a possible cause. Your child may not be simply "acting up," but suffering from an illness for which treatment is available.

  1. It's Not 'Typical Teenage Stuff'

    • When an adolescent begins acting out or becoming withdrawn, we often blame it on hormones, school pressures or normal rebellion against parents and society. When a teen has bipolar disorder, there are other things contributing to the moodiness and behavior. Bipolar disorder can exacerbate typical challenges and keep your child from overcoming them, resulting in a cycle of depression, failure and risky behavior that can be difficult to break out of.

    Depressive Symptoms

    • Adolescents often go through a normal "gloomy" stage as they adjust to their impending adulthood and find out who they really are. Teens with bipolar disorder may withdraw from friends and social activities without replacing them with others. Many teens change their eating habits, trying to bulk up or slim down; depressed teens often have a change in appetite for no expressed reason. During a depressive phase your adolescent may cry a lot or simply seem sad all the time, or be extremely irritable. If your adolescent is talking about suicide or feels worthless all the time, seek help immediately. A depressive phase is defined as having the above symptoms that last at least a week.

    Mania Symptoms

    • Adolescents aren't generally known for their great judgment, but a teen with bipolar disorder may engage in dangerous activities without any thought to consequences. They may drive recklessly, accept dangerous dares like leaping from high places, or engage in risky sexual behavior. Other symptoms of mania include talking fast, as if your thoughts are hard to keep up with; diminished need for sleep; extreme silliness or irritability; being easily distracted; hallucinations and psychosis.

    Help is Available

    • Treatment is available for adolescent bipolar disorder. The first step is finding a mental health professional to evaluate your child. Thyroid problems can cause some of the same symptoms as bipolar disorder, so your child may have to have a blood test to rule out that or other physical reasons for her behavior. The doctor will review your child's medical history and symptoms and determine whether she has bipolar disorder. A combination of talk therapy and medication may be prescribed; lithium and Depakote are two commonly prescribed medications for bipolar disorder in adolescents.

    Prognosis

    • Bipolar disorder has no cure; however medication is often effective in controlling its symptoms. An adolescent diagnosed with bipolar disorder has every hope of going on to live a full and happy life, as long as he continues with treatment. An early diagnosis helps to ensure that by the time he reaches adulthood, he's used to dealing with the disorder, has found a good treatment plan and can focus on living, not simply existing.

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