Bipolar disorder affects many millions of people throughout the world. Many assume these millions of people are exclusively adults. However, a significant percentage of those struggling with bipolar disorder are adolescents. This adds an enormous complexity to their lives. In addition to dealing with the common struggles that all teenagers must deal with, they must also contend with the serious symptoms of bipolar disease and adolescent bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Disorder Defined

Originally named manic-depressive disorder, bipolar disorder refers to severe swings in mood. Such mood swings may range from an elevated sense of euphoria (mania) to a severe down cycle known as the depressive phase. Trite and non professional definitions of the condition look at euphoria as excitement and minor anxiety and the depressive phase as mere sadness or fatigue. In actuality, both phases are serious and they can greatly affect cognitive function, energy levels, decision-making, concentration, and other critical faculties needed to perform the essential functions of life.

While bipolar disorder is a serious psychiatric condition, it is not untreatable. Often, outpatient prescription therapy and counseling can help alleviate many of the negative effects of bipolar disease. However, this can be a challenge for adults. For adolescents, bipolar disorder brings further complexities.

The Onset of Bipolar Disease and Adolescent Bipolar Disorder

In general, most people develop bipolar disorder late in their teens or their early adult years. While the development of bipolar disorder in children and younger teens is rare, it does occur. Called Early Onset Bipolar Disorder, the mood swings may occur more frequently. Also, the symptoms may very well be more severe than what an adult may manifest. This may be due to the lack of emotional development in the adolescent.

How Can a Parent Detect Adolescent Bipolar Disease and Adolescent Bipolar Disorder?

Many of the same symptoms that an adult will manifest also appear in adolescents. Common noticeable symptoms include severe mood swings, lethargy, lacking a clear attention span, exhibiting a very depressed or sad mood, extreme excitement and talkativeness are all signs of the disorder.

These symptoms can also affect behavior at school. Is your child having trouble making or maintaining friends? Have his or her grades started to slip? Have they been involved in a number of disciplinary incidents? All of these situations could indicate the potential presence of bipolar disorder.

Of course, a parent will not know for sure unless the adolescent is properly diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional. Usually, a board certified psychiatrist would be the most reliable source for a diagnosis. However, it is critical that parents do not make decisions as to whether or not an adolescent had a serious mental disorder. Doing so would only stop the youth from receiving the proper treatment.

What type of treatment will work?

Treatment generally involves a combination of medication treatment and therapy. Prescribed medications often include anti-depressants, mood stabilizers and anti-anxiety prescriptions. No matter what type of treatment plan is enacted, there are no short-term fixes for Bipolar Disease. Treatment may last many years and well into adulthood. The duration of the treatment, however, is not what should be of primary importance. Instead, patients should concentrate on using their treatment as the basis for living a normal life with minimal problems deriving from the condition. This is true for both adults and adolescents.