Does My Teen Have Adolescent Bipolar Disorder?

While you may think you can read a book and determine if your teen is suffering from adolescent bipolar disorder, it takes the training and testing of a qualified medical or mental health professional to rule out all other disorders that might be considered. Not only that, there are teens that suffer from dual diagnoses—that is, they might suffer from adolescent bipolar disorder and, for instance, substance abuse.

Many teens go through phases in which they start wearing dark clothes, isolate themselves in their rooms, listen to loud or mournful music, and otherwise scare the daylights out of their parents and others who come into contact with them. They may start wearing “gothic” style clothes, start having body parts pierced (may include multiple ear piercing if under 18), or start showing signs of rebellion, changing clothes, friends, and haircuts. These may be signs of adolescent bipolar disorder; other symptoms may include drinking, smoking, taking drugs, or otherwise changing or altering their personality.

Just because a teen spends a great deal of time in their room listening to music doesn’t mean you should automatically show concern. However, if they are in their room with the door locked, and there’s smoke pouring through the cracks in the door, they may be smoking marijuana or, worse yet, crack. This type of behavior is not only suspect, but it is illegal. It may also be an indication of depression or adolescent bipolar disorder. It may also be the impetus you need to get a teen into counseling—do not allow illegal activity under your roof.