Is Your Teenager Dealing
With Bipolar Disorder?
Are you caring for a teenager with suspected or diagnosed Bipolar Disorder?
To help you care for your teenage son or daughter, we have provided some information about what they are experiencing. Additionally, there is insight into how you can help yourself as you care for your loved one.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar Disorder or Bipolar Affective Disorder is a chronic mental health condition or a recurring condition that affects the mood of a person and makes them behave outside their character – between mania and depression. Bipolar Disorder, as the term suggests, more accurately describes the cycling of moods that is experienced by the person between the two poles of ‘high’ or elevated mood and ‘low’ or depressed mood.
The elevated mood is also referred to as mania, a period of elevated, expansive or irritable mood, high energy levels and inappropriate behaviours. In teenagers or adolescents, this constant switching of moods can cause significant problems in familial and social relationships as well as in school. Extreme mood changes can also affect comprehension and in turn, result in unsound decision making especially in personal relationships and school matters.
Symptoms that your Teenager has Bipolar Disorder
A person with Bipolar I will have extreme manic states, their behaviour quickly escalates and their mania is likely to require hospitalisation.
Bipolar II is considered more common; their manic symptoms are less severe and cause less impairment for the individual. In Bipolar II these episodes are referred to as hypomania.
Bipolar Not Otherwise Specified (NOS) is another diagnosis but of a milder form of Bipolar Disorder whose mood episodes do not last as long or be as severe as symptoms from Bipolar I and II.
A manic episode (high mood) in teens can include the following symptoms:
- Feeling overly confident or extremely euphoric
- Less need for sleep
- Heightened energy
- Excessive talkativeness
- Racing thoughts and easily distracted
- Disjointed or distorted thinking
- Symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations and delusions
- Inappropriate sexual behaviour
- Decreased ability to make sound or rational decisions
- Increased focus on goal-directed activity
- Loss of interest in things they usually enjoy
Teenagers in a depressive state (low mood) will experience the opposite of mania:
- Low, sad or pessimistic mood
- Difficulty making decisions
- Uninterested in performing everyday tasks
- Uninterested in activities they once found pleasurable
- Disruptive sleep and sometimes Insomnia
- Loss of appetite and sex drive
- Frequent body pains
- Recurrent thought of death and suicide
- Dependence on drugs and alcohol
- Sensitivity to failure or rejection
What causes Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar affects 0.6 (Bipolar I) and 0.8 per cent (Bipolar II) of the population (APA 2013). Several factors may contribute to a person developing Bipolar Disorder such as genetics or hormonal problems. Some studies show that 6% of children with a parent experiencing Bipolar Disorder will also develop the condition (Boston Children’s Hospital). When not treated early on, severe Bipolar Disorder can continue through to puberty and adolescence. Other studies also show that for women, Bipolar Disorder mood cycles are tied with their menstrual cycle (KidsHealth®).
Environmental factors such as abuse, trauma, mental stress, significant loss or substance misuse can also trigger Bipolar Disorder. Neurotransmitters, mainly serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, also affect the brain’s chemical disposition and likely cause Bipolar Disorder.
Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder can develop at any age, even as early as 5 years old. A big percentage of teenagers with Bipolar Disorder develop or trigger this condition due to internal and external changes that happen during puberty. If not properly addressed, teens can carry this mental health condition through to adulthood.
Other symptoms from mental health conditions like Anxiety and Borderline Personality Disorder can also display Bipolar-like qualities in teens but are not necessarily part of the diagnosis for Bipolar Disorder. As such, it is necessary to get your son or daughter to a GP or a Psychiatrist that specialises in helping teens so that they can receive professional medical help appropriate for their condition.
A diagnosis involves systematic interviews alongside ruling out other behavioural and mental health conditions. For teenagers or adolescents to be diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, they must experience constant or periodical extreme mood changes on most days for at least 6 months.
Treatments for your Teenager with Bipolar Disorder
Typically, bipolar disorder is treated with a combination of three different types of medication; a mood-stabilizing drug, antipsychotics and anti-depressants. However, for teens with Bipolar Disorder, drugs and other medication should be carefully assessed and be part of a multidimensional treatment to not encourage their dependence on drugs. A multidimensional treatment involves teen counselling, family therapy as well as Psychotherapy for teens. Seek the help of a GP or a Psychiatrist specialising in treating teens or adolescents with mental health conditions to carefully design a Bipolar Disorder treatment plan for your son or daughter.
How to help your Teenager with Bipolar Disorder
As a parent, it can be very hard for you to see your teen experience Bipolar Disorder during their puberty stage. The best way to help them is to be aware of the symptoms and get them to a GP or Psychiatrist for professional help. You can also turn to a mental health phone line or browse online for mental health services to know what options you have.
It can be hard to connect with a teen with Bipolar Disorder, but as a parent, you need to show emotional and physical support to your son or daughter aside from helping them seek professional help. By offering a listening ear, lending them a hand and letting them know you are there for them, you can help your child with their mood cycles. You can also encourage them by attending family counselling as well as giving affirmations and positivity to let your teen know that everything will be alright.
How to help yourself
Seeing your teenager experience Bipolar Disorder is not only very hurtful but this can also be a stressful and frustrating experience for you. Supporting them and giving assurance every day can also take its toll on you and leave you exhausted especially if you find it hard to connect with your teen. But you don’t have to go through it alone.
HelpingMinds® offers free and confidential support to people who are caring for someone living with mental health challenges. We have program specifically for parents of teens experiencing mental health conditions. We also offer free counselling, support groups, rest and revive activities, school holiday programs, family programs, youth programs and advocacy to people living in WA.
Get Support from HelpingMinds®
Would you like to know more about free and confidential mental health carer services and how we can support you? Please feel free to contact HelpingMinds® via the form below or on (08) 9427 7100. For one of our team to get back to you, we will require your email address and/or phone number. Please know all information provided will be treated completely confidential and in line with our privacy policy.