Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is also known as manic- depressive illness that causes mood swings, energy displacement and ability to function normally. It is a brain disease that cannot be cured; just like heart disease or diabetes, but with proper treatment and understanding of the illness one can treat it so it will be under control thus, no longer life threatening.

Causes

Some preliminary studies have shown a genetic disposition to contracting this disease. Other contributing factors to this mental health disease are changes in the brain and environmental factors such as severe episodes of stress and major life changes.

Treatments

Bipolar affective disorder is an illness that requires a life-time management and treatment of those affected. Two available medications used to treat this mental illness are Lithium and Depakote. Lithium is a medication prescribed to stabilize moods and Depakote is an anticonvulsant used to control seizures and used to treat migraine headaches. In addition, regular psychotherapy treatment is used to prevent further episodes.

Those at Risk

It is estimated that over 2 million Americans suffer from bipolar affective disorder. This mental illness usually has its onset in adulthood before the age of 35. However, children can also develop this disease and generally at a more severe level.

In regards to gender, both men and women are susceptible to bipolar affective disorder. However, with women mood transition occurs at a more rapid rate than occurs for men. It is also documented that women may suffer more frequent episodes of depression than their male counterparts. Additionally, there is a direct correlation to drug dependency with those individuals who have been diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder.

Symptoms

The symptoms of bipolar affective disorder include a swift change in emotions ranging from extreme euphoria to extreme depression. There can be a successive number of high episodes before experiencing the dramatic opposite. Additionally, time is not a factor as the extreme emotional ranges can happen over a days, weeks, months, etc.

The severity of bipolar affective disorder differs from individual to individual. A partial list of other symptoms includes restlessness, a rapid speech pattern, inability to concentrate, high level of energy, sleeplessness, aggressive sex drive, substance abuse, poor judgment, loss of energy, a sense of worthlessness, out of touch with reality, sadness, uncontrollable crying, increased need for sleep and suicidal thoughts.

A Brief Overview of Bipolar Affective Disorder

Bipolar affective disorder is a mental illness that wreaks havoc with the emotional well being of an individual. This disruption is characterized by feelings ranging from the extreme sense of well-being to the other end of the emotional spectrum and experiencing complete sadness and anxiety. Because of the two extremes associated with this condition it is referred to as bipolar, or two poles of moods.

There are times where those affected with bipolar affective disorder experience normal emotional behavior but typically experience the two extremes. Generally, the frequency of being extremely depressed is the phase most experienced.

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.