Adolescent Bipolar – A Serious Mood Disorder

Adolescents go through a lot. As their bodies are growing and changing, they find themselves confused, awkward, and experiencing hormonal and mood changes as quickly as they change their minds about their future careers. Unfortunately, as if this wasn't enough, some pre-teens and teenagers must also deal with adolescent bipolar disorder, its symptoms, and its treatments. When dealing with adolescent bipolar, it's important to be armed with knowledge about the disease in order to be a better support system and help adolescents with bipolar disease deal with their symptoms and get better.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disease, also known as manic depressive illness, affects about one out of every hundred people in the United States. It's a serious mood disorder known for its severe changes in mood ranging from depression to manic states. People with bipolar may also experience mixed episodes, during which they have symptoms of depression and mania at the same time. Depending on the type of bipolar disease, people can have mood changes as quickly as within one hour, or only once a year.

Adolescent bipolar disease, though similar to adult bipolar disorder, brings on a separate set of challenges. Adolescents are already dealing with major mood and hormone changes due to puberty, and bipolar disorder simply intensifies that.

Symptoms of adolescent bipolar disorder

Adolescents experiencing a depressive episode can experience extreme sadness, feelings of hopelessness, changes in sleeping and eating habits, having no energy, and having no interest in activities or friends. If the depression is more severe, adolescents may also have thoughts or feelings of suicide, or a preoccupation with death.

Adolescents going through a manic episode can experience increased energy or hyperactivity, difficulty concentrating or focusing on one thing, take more risks, or become aggressive or angry easily. Some adolescents may also think and talk about sex more often.

Treatment of adolescent bipolar disorder

The treatment used for adolescent bipolar disorder is similar to adult bipolar disorder, which usually includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy. However, it may be difficult to find the right combination for adolescents since their hormone levels are changing frequently.

Another important aspect of treatment of adolescent bipolar is a strong support system. Not only will this help adolescents accept the illness and work through any difficulties that come up, but it can help ensure that the right medications are being used, and any side effects are being reported right away.

In order to be a part of that strong support system, knowledge about adolescent bipolar disorder is important. If you have a better understanding of the illness, you will have a better understanding of how to help your child, and how to make sure your child is getting the help he or she needs to be healthy and happy.