Bipolar disorder, sometimes known as manic-depression, is a mood disorder characterized by extreme highs and lows in the affected person's mood, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, or NIMH. Bipolar disorder significantly impacts a person's functioning, making it hard to function at school, in social relationships and can even cause suicidal tendencies. Bipolar disorder during the teen years, once diagnosed, is treatable. Seeking treatment is critical to your teen's well-being.
Types
According to the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," or DSM-IV-TR , its guidelines used by doctors for diagnosing mental disorders, there are two types of bipolar disorder: Bipolar Disorder I and Bipolar Disorder II.
Bipolar Disorder I includes depressive episodes, manic episodes or mixed episodes. Bipolar Disorder II includes a history of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but no mixed episodes.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a hypomanic episode last at least four days, according to the DSM-IV-TR. A hypomanic episode contains some or all of the following: inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, increased talkativeness, racing thoughts, easily distractable, engagment in high-risk activities and an increase in goal-directed activity.
Symptoms of a depressive episode must last two weeks. According to the DSM-IV-TR, symptoms can include: depressed or irritable mood for most of the day, everyday, loss of pleasure in activities previously enjoyed, change in appetite, sleeping too much or too little, loss of energy, feeling worthless or guilty, inability to concentrate, indecisiveness, suicidal ideation, restlessness or retardation of movement.
Diagnosis
According to the NIMH, there are no blood tests or brain scans that can provide a diagnosis of Bipolar II. In order to diagnose Bipolar II in a teenager, a mental health clinician, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or other licensed mental health professional, will gather information about the teen's behavior and family history. The clinician uses the DSM as a guideline for diagnosis of the symptoms the teen has been experiencing.
Treatment
Treating bipolar in a teen usually includes a combination of medication, prescribed by a psychiatrist, and therapy, which is provided by a masters or doctorate level mental health professional, such as a psychologist or social worker. Treatment is often lifelong, but is effective, according to the NIMH.
The NIMH suggests a "start low, go slow" approach for trying medication. Teens respond to medication differently than adults do, and because medications can take weeks to months to show full effect, going slowly allows the teen to arrive at the lowest, most effective dose. No cure is available, and to best manage symptoms, medication is often taken on a long-term or lifelong basis.
Therapy is not only helpful for the teen, but for the family as well. It can provide education on the course and treatment of bipolar disorder. Therapy also helps the teen manage her symptoms while coping effectively with work, school and social relationships.
Causes
According to KidsHealth, while scientists are not sure as to the exact cause of bipolar, they believe that an imbalance in neurotransmitters causes problems with a person's mood regulation.
Environment might play a role in bipolar. A teen who experiences a traumatic or stressful event may have a depressive or hypomanic episode triggered. Puberty and hormones may set off an episode, too.
Genetics may also play a role. A person who has a close relative with bipolar has a greater chance of developing the disorder.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health: What are the Common Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens?
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision"; American Psychiatric Association; 2000
- NIMH: How is Bipolar Detected in Children and Teens?
- NIMH: What Treatments are Available for Children and Teens with Bipolar Disorder?
- KidsHealth: Bipolar Disorder
