Manic depression, also called bipolar disorder, affects nearly 6 million Americans. For many years, professionals considered bipolar an adult mental disorder. Now, however, the bipolar diagnosis occurs before the age of 25 in half of all cases. While it may appear in children as young as 6 years old, diagnosis often comes during the teenage years. Adolescents learning to understand and cope with bipolar benefit from help and guidance from parents and other supportive adults.
Step 1
Encourage self-education about bipolar disorder. Through books, DVDs, discussion and support groups, help your teenager learn about bipolar. Help him to accept that it is a chronic, lifelong mental disorder. It is not his fault nor is it a character deficiency.
Step 2
Support your adolescent emotionally. Your teenager, with a new diagnosis of bipolar, may feel anxious, confused and angry. Because your teenager is establishing an identify separate from his parents, he may resist emotional support. However, verbal and emotional interaction will affirm your love and acceptance.
Step 3
Encourage adherence to treatment plans. Your child's therapist, physician or psychiatrist will propose a course of treatment that may include medication and psychotherapy. Help your teenager to understand the importance of beginning and maintaining treatment. Support adherence by assisting with transportation to therapy sessions and refilling prescriptions.
Step 4
Help provide a regular schedule for eating and sleeping. When children and adolescents with bipolar maintain a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep, it reduces the potential for manic episodes. Keep healthy foods in your home, serve nutritious meals and encourage regular bedtimes.
Step 5
Suggest stress-reduction activities for your teen to alleviate some of the symptoms of bipolar. Deep breathing, music and massage may help. Participation in sports or other physical activities helps some children and teens to reduce occurrences of depression or mania.
Step 6
Assist with implementation of educational supports. Bipolar disorder may negatively affect a child's academic abilities because of difficulties due to alertness, energy, focus and stress. Work with the school to help it create the accommodations your adolescent requires.
