Answers For Parents

Troubled Teens and Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder in teens can be seen if a teen displays periods of mania or highs and then on the other side of the spectrum depression or lows. Most teens experience highs in their lives, which is happiness, and then depression or lows, which is characterized by sadness; but teens with Bipolar Disorder experience these feelings with a display of intense and severe swings from highs to lows or vice versa.

During mania, troubled teens with Bipolar Disorder exhibit increased mental activity, are irritable, aggressive in behavior, show poor judgment, reckless, make rash decisions, increased energy, talk fast, thoughts race, exaggerated optimism, and an overall elevated mood. Then like a flick of a switch troubled teens with Bipolar Disorder flip to the opposite side of the spectrum, which is severe depression.  During this time troubled teens with Bipolar Disorder will loose interest in activities they normally like to do, they will display immense sadness and irritability, loose energy and sleep or feel overly tired and not be able to sleep, loose appetites or overeat, display anger, and often times have suicidal thoughts and tendencies.

Troubled teens with Bipolar Disorder can slip between mania and depression several times in a single day. Between the two sides of the spectrum teens with Bipolar Disorder display more normal feelings somewhere between extreme happiness and depression and are typical teens.  Bipolar Disorder is much more common in troubled teens than will be found in adults.

The good news - troubled teens with Bipolar Disorder can be helped.  First the disorder must be properly diagnosed.  A psychiatrist or psychologist needs to be visited.  This is extremely important.  Misdiagnoses can produce huge problems if Bipolar Disorder is treated in a teen that never had it. Or worse a Parent suspects Bipolar Disorder in their troubled teen and never has the teen diagnosed. Untreated troubled teens with Bipolar Disorder typically end up on drugs and alcohol as they attempt to medicate themselves, which leads to the juvenile systems, and worse, suicide. Though there is no cure for Bipolar Disorder there are medications aimed at stabilizing moods that can help troubled teens find the happy medium between mania and depression and cause the violent and extreme swings between the moods to lessen.

Troubled teens with Bipolar Disorder can live happy lives like everyone else, but it absolutely requires help from professionals and a proper diagnosis of the condition and then following of the treatment plan prescribed.  If you suspect your teen is struggling with Bipolar Disorder don't hesitate to have him or her checked out by a certified psychiatrist or psychologist who specializes in Bipolar Disorder.

How does Answers For Parents help Parents of troubled Teens and Young Adults?

Answers For Parents is committed to helping troubled teens change their lives and once again become integral members of their families and communities. Although there is no greater resource than parents communicating and strengthening their troubled teens, sometimes intervention is required outside of the family unit and this is where Answers For Parents can help. Answers For Parents offers free expert treatment program Admissions Services for troubled teens and young adults. Please call us today for a free and confidential consultation at 877-242-6793. You can view our 24/7 Parent Help Line by clicking here.