Tough Teen Bipolar Disorder Realities

Also known as manic-depression, bipolar disorder is a mental illness, characterized by powerful changes in mood, energy level, and behavior. At one extreme lies mania, usually manifested as extreme restlessness, inability to sleep, irritability, poor judgment, and impulsiveness. Depression is at the extreme end of the other pole, and is distinguished by helplessness, hopelessness, fatigue and suicidal thoughts.

Bipolar disorder begins in early adulthood or late adolescence, therefore teen bipolar disorder is seen often; the challenge lays in recognizing the symptoms early enough to seek help. As anyone who has gone through adolescence can attest, in teenagers, irrational behavior is fairly normal, as are mood swings from very high to extreme lows; consequently, recognizing teen bipolar disorder can be difficult. Also, teenagers can be uncommunicative with their parents about their activities and friends; this makes it problematical for family members to monitor their mood.

If you have suspicions that your child may have teen bipolar disorder, please take the time to watch his or her behavior closely in order to recognize common symptoms.

Depressive symptoms of teen bipolar disorder include insomnia or oversleeping, loss of energy, feelings of emptiness and worthlessness, physical agitation or sluggishness, continual sadness, lack of concentration, and suicidal thinking.

Manic symptoms include increased energy, extreme changes in mood, extreme irritability, rapid speech which leaps from idea to idea quickly without connection, lack of concentration, hyper sexuality, physical agitation, lack of sleep for extended periods of time, and unrealistic optimism

Teen bipolar disorder is the beginning of life long illness, and cannot be cured; nevertheless it can be effectively treated with the help of medication and therapy. Family and friends will also play a pivotal role in treatment.

Young people afflicted with teen bipolar diseases need steady supervision, at any rate, in the early stages when timely treatment can make a big difference. Pay attention to any suspicions you have about this disorder in someone you know.

True, teens are the majority of the time hard to deal with, but it is better to seek treatment early and be in error than to disregard warning signs. Teen bipolar disorder is not to be ignored, but handled with care and as quickly as practical for the best outcome.