Young men can suffer from three types of bipolar disorder, including bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder and cyclothymia. People who suffer from bipolar I disorder have more intense symptoms than people who suffer from bipolar II or cyclothymia, but they all share common symptoms. Adolescent males can get treatment for bipolar disorders through medication and counseling.
Manic and Hypomanic Phase
Bipolar disorders are made up of two phases called manic and depressive phases. To receive a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, a young man must have had at least one manic phase, and to receive a diagnosis of bipolar II disorder, a young man must have had at least one major depressive phase and one hypomanic phase which is less severe than a manic phase. A young man experiencing a manic phase will seem extremely happy or irritable, have an inflated sense of self, talk rapidly without connecting ideas and have little or no need for sleep, according to the Mayo Clinic. Young men with bipolar disorder are also likely to become aggressive, abuse substances and participate in risky behaviors such as drinking and driving and having unprotected sex.
Depressive Phase
Young men who suffer from bipolar disorder often experience periods of depression in which they're sad or irritable, have trouble eating or sleeping, feel fatigued and have a loss of pleasure, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Compared to young women, men are more likely to commit suicide when majorly depressed, according to the Mayo Clinic. Signs of suicidal ideation include saying goodbye to friends and family members, talking about and glorifying death, giving away prized possessions and a sudden switch from depression to calm. Young men who have suicidal thoughts need immediate professional help. They can get help by calling the police, contacting a mental health professional or going to their local psychiatric emergency room.
School or Work Issues
If a young man begins to have symptoms of bipolar disorder, he'll start to have issues at work or school. If he's in high school or college, he might stop going to classes and have trouble concentrating during class. During a manic phase, he'll probably experience poor judgment. During a depressive phase, he might be too sad to get out of bed to attend class, feel hopeless and not turn in assignments. This can lead to the young man failing out of school or getting put on academic probation. If the young man works, his employer will notice changes in his mood and behavior, which can lead him to getting demoted or fired. If he loses his job or takes a cut in pay, he could start to have financial issues.
