Wednesday, January 17, 2007

A Phase vs. Depression

If your teen is exhibiting any of the above behaviors, and you also notice them to be gaining or losing a considerable amount of weight, or instead of listening to music you find them sleeping most of the day, you find their grades slipping or their attitudes changing, you might have valid concerns. With adolescent bipolar disorder, a teen may lose interest in things that have previously brought them pleasure. This is always a concern, because suicide is a very common factor of depression and adolescent bipolar disorder.

Unexpected Highs

That said, a teen who suddenly emerges out of their solitary cocoon with a burst of energy, who is running around trying to get things done, is talking incessantly and excitedly, and is not slowing down or getting tired no matter how long they’ve been awake, may be experiencing a manic “high,” symptomatic of adolescent bipolar disorder.

It is not always easy getting an adolescent to a doctor or mental health professional against their will; in some cases, inpatient evaluation may be required. If there are concerns about mood disorders and your teen, your first course of action is to contact their doctor for advice and recommendations.

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.