An Overview of Adolescent Bipolar Disorder
All over the world millions of people are affected by bipolar disorder. The majority of these millions are assumed to be adults. Adolescents, however, hold a significant percentage of those suffering with bipolar disorder and this adds extra complexity upon their lives. This can be said because having to contend with the serious symptoms of bipolar disease and adolescent bipolar disorder is just an extra hassle to the common struggles that every teenager goes through.
Bipolar Disorder Defined
Bipolar disorder refers to severe mood swings and was originally named manic-depressive disorder. These swings of mood range from a higher sense of euphoria (mania) to a critical down cycle known as the depressive phase. People normally take the euphoria phase as a stage of excitement and minor anxiety where the depressive phase is seen as plain sadness or fatigue. Both phases are serious in reality and they can seriously affect decision-making, concentration, energy levels, cognitive function, and other critical abilities needed to carry out the necessary functions of life.
Bipolar disorder is treatable even though it is a serious psychiatric condition. Many of the negative effects brought about by bipolar disease can be alleviated by the help of outpatient prescription therapy and counseling. On the other hand, this can be a challenge for adults and also brings about further complexities in adolescents.
The Starting of Bipolar Disease and Adolescent Bipolar
In fact, most people start developing bipolar disorder in their early adult or late teen years. Development of bipolar in children and younger teens does occur even though it is very rare. This is known as Early Onset Bipolar Disorder and the mood swings here may occur more frequently. The cause of this may be the lack of emotional development in the adolescent.
How Can a Parent Detect Adolescent Bipolar Disease and Adolescent Bipolar Disorder?
Adolescents share many of the same symptoms that an adult will display. Noticeable symptoms common in both of them include lacking a clear attention span, severe mood swings, lethargy, extreme excitement and talkativeness, and displaying a very depressed or sad mood are all signs of the disorder.
These symptoms can also affect behavior at school. Is your adolescent having trouble making or maintaining friends? Have his or her grades started to slip? Has the adolescent been involved in a number of disciplinary incidents? All of these situations could indicate the potential presence of bipolar disorder.
Certainly, a parent will not know for sure if their adolescent has bipolar disease unless they are properly diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional. The most reliable source for a diagnosis would usually be a board certified psychiatrist. Then again, it is crucial for parents not to make decisions as to whether or not an adolescent had a serious mental disorder. The youth may be inhibited from receiving the proper treatment if this is done.
Getting to Know Which Treatments Work
Treatment usually involves a mixture of therapy and medication treatment. Anti-depressants, mood stabilizers, and anti-anxiety prescriptions are usually the prescribed medications. Treatment for adolescent bipolar usually lasts for years and may be taken into adulthood as well. However, the duration of the treatment is not the primary concern here. Rather, patients should focus on using their treatment as the foundation for living a normal life with the least amount of problems coming from the condition. This case is true for both adolescents and adults.
Bipolar Disorder Defined
Bipolar disorder refers to severe mood swings and was originally named manic-depressive disorder. These swings of mood range from a higher sense of euphoria (mania) to a critical down cycle known as the depressive phase. People normally take the euphoria phase as a stage of excitement and minor anxiety where the depressive phase is seen as plain sadness or fatigue. Both phases are serious in reality and they can seriously affect decision-making, concentration, energy levels, cognitive function, and other critical abilities needed to carry out the necessary functions of life.
Bipolar disorder is treatable even though it is a serious psychiatric condition. Many of the negative effects brought about by bipolar disease can be alleviated by the help of outpatient prescription therapy and counseling. On the other hand, this can be a challenge for adults and also brings about further complexities in adolescents.
The Starting of Bipolar Disease and Adolescent Bipolar
In fact, most people start developing bipolar disorder in their early adult or late teen years. Development of bipolar in children and younger teens does occur even though it is very rare. This is known as Early Onset Bipolar Disorder and the mood swings here may occur more frequently. The cause of this may be the lack of emotional development in the adolescent.
How Can a Parent Detect Adolescent Bipolar Disease and Adolescent Bipolar Disorder?
Adolescents share many of the same symptoms that an adult will display. Noticeable symptoms common in both of them include lacking a clear attention span, severe mood swings, lethargy, extreme excitement and talkativeness, and displaying a very depressed or sad mood are all signs of the disorder.
These symptoms can also affect behavior at school. Is your adolescent having trouble making or maintaining friends? Have his or her grades started to slip? Has the adolescent been involved in a number of disciplinary incidents? All of these situations could indicate the potential presence of bipolar disorder.
Certainly, a parent will not know for sure if their adolescent has bipolar disease unless they are properly diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional. The most reliable source for a diagnosis would usually be a board certified psychiatrist. Then again, it is crucial for parents not to make decisions as to whether or not an adolescent had a serious mental disorder. The youth may be inhibited from receiving the proper treatment if this is done.
Getting to Know Which Treatments Work
Treatment usually involves a mixture of therapy and medication treatment. Anti-depressants, mood stabilizers, and anti-anxiety prescriptions are usually the prescribed medications. Treatment for adolescent bipolar usually lasts for years and may be taken into adulthood as well. However, the duration of the treatment is not the primary concern here. Rather, patients should focus on using their treatment as the foundation for living a normal life with the least amount of problems coming from the condition. This case is true for both adolescents and adults.
About the Author:
Ken P Doyle has had a marked interest in Bipolar Disorder for numerous years. For extra information on Bipolar Disease and Adolescent Bipolar, visit his online resource center today.
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