Bipolar Disorder – Adolescents
Manic-depressive illness or bipolar disorder is a serious brain illness. The person has a good chance of doing well if managed well. This brain illness is marked by extreme behavioral, mood and energy changes. This manic-depressive illness can be treated during infant years but this illness is more common in adolescent and adult stages.
Manic-depressive illness can look different in children than in adults. Usually children with this brain illness have mood disturbance (a mix of mania and depression) that is ongoing and continuous. A traumatic event or loss can trigger episodes of depression or mania in adolescents. The illness can reoccur independently if the person experiences stress or can get worse with stress. Without proper treatment or medication manic depressive illness can come again or will get worse.
Substance abuse in adolescents and bipolar disorder
Some children are normal up until puberty and then experience a sudden onset of bipolar illness this children are more vulnerable to addiction to drugs and alcohol. Peers and teens may use drugs and alcohol to try and control their mood swings and insomnia. It is important to note that if substance abuse is diagnosed with bipolar disorder they must be treated 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 manic or mania stage in adolescents show an irritable and expansive mood, their happiness is unusual, difficulty in falling asleep and are not tired, talk a lot and are always talking, problems with concentrating, once they start talking it is hard to stop them and they are full of activities. Grandiose delusions are evident at the mania stage. Other signs are delusions of inflated knowledge, worth, power and identity. Hallucinations and engaging in risky activities are signs that the case is severe.
Latest treatments available:
Several methods of treating bipolar disorder are:
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.
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 teens life style especially their daily routines and behaviors. To show any improvements patients require many sessions attending psychotherapy.
Support groups among bipolar patients
Bipolar support groups can learn and help each other by communicating and opening up to each other. Knowing that they are not alone and there are others out there who are also suffering from ups and downs people go through it is abnormal and more powerful. Some may try to commit suicide or harm themselves. Because of these problems, bipolar medication, therapies and support groups are all important in helping patients cope with the illness.
Appropriate action must be taken if your teen age child is showing signs of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder must not be taken for granted because it is very dangerous. This is not a normal ups and downs people go through it is abnormal and more powerful. Some may try to commit suicide or harm themselves. Because of these problems, bipolar medication, therapies and support groups are all important in helping patients cope with the illness.