Adolescnets With Bipolar

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a severe brain illness. If treated and managed well, the prognosis is promising. The disorder brings about odd and extreme mood, energy, behavioural changes. Even though this disorder is more common during the adolescent and adult stages, it can be diagnosed during childhood years.

Bipolar illness in children may look different to the adult ones.  Manic-depression (mix of mania and depression) in children is usually having an ongoing, continuous mood disturbance. Episodes of manic –depression in adolescents may be triggered by a loss or an event that is traumatic. The illness can come again independently and worse by the experience of stress. Without proper treatment bipolar illness can come again or may get worse.

Substance Abuse in Adolescents and Bipolar Disorder

Many adolescents who seem normal until puberty may experience a rather sudden onset of symptoms are the thought to be vulnerable to developing an addiction to drugs and alcohol. Teens may use these substances in an attempt to control their mood swings and insomnia, and they may not find it difficult to acquire as these substances may be readily available among their peers. If an addiction develops then it is necessary to treat both the bipolar disorder and substance abuse at the same time.

Dramatic mood swings from very high to low and normal mood in between can be experienced by adolescent with bipolar. Dramatic changes in behavior, mood and energy level can swing from very high to very low. Bipolar highs are called mania, the low depression and the middle hippomania.

The bipolar symptoms in adolescent that are usually seen during the manic stage or mania episodes are irritable and expansive mood, unusual happiness, trouble falling asleep but does not feel tired, rapid and non-stop talking, trouble concentrating, pressured speech that is usually hard to interrupt and increased physical activity. During the manic stage, grandiose delusions are also evident wherein the affected person shows delusions of inflated knowledge, power, worth and identity. In severe cases, hallucinations may be experienced and the person may engage in risky activities.

Treatment Options

There are several methods on how to treat bipolar disorder, such as:

Taking Medication

There are several types of bipolar medications. Doctors usually prescribe medications according to the symptoms and the severity of the condition. Sometimes, a combination of medications may be necessary to show desirable effects. Parents, however, should be aware that abruptly stopping these kinds of medication can harm the patient. So a doctor's advice should always be sought.

Bipolar Therapy

Therapy that is commonly used for bipolar disorder in adolescent is “the talk therapy” known as psychotherapy. It is a good and effective therapy. The aim of this therapy is to change teen’s life style especially their daily routines and behaviors. To show any improvements patients require many sessions attending psychotherapy.

Bipolar Support Groups

Bipolar support groups can help the affected teenager manage their disorder by communicating and opening up to others with the same illness and by learning from them. It will also encourage them to take up further treatment knowing that there are also others suffering with the disorder and that they are not alone.

If your teenager is showing symptoms of bipolar disorder, you should immediately take appropriate action. Adolescent bipolar can be very dangerous and is something that should not be taken for granted. It isn't just like the normal ups and downs that teenagers go through; it's actually more powerful than that. Some may try to harm themselves or even attempt to commit suicide. Because of these chances, adolescents with bipolar disorder need not only take bipolar medications but also therapies and bipolar support groups as well to help them cope with their sickness.