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A teenager with
bipolar disorder may have an ongoing combination of extremely high
(manic) and low (depressed) moods.
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Highs may alternate
with lows, or the person may feel both extremes at the same time.
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Bipolar disorder
usually starts in adult life.
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Although less
common, it does occur in teenagers and even rarely in young
children.
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This illness can
affect anyone.
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However, if one or
both parents have Bipolar Disorder, the chances are greater that
their children will develop the disorder.
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Family history of
drug or alcohol abuse also may be associated with bipolar disorder
in teens.
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Bipolar disorder
may begin either with manic or depressive symptoms.
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The manic symptoms
are:
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A severe change in
mood, as compared to others of the same age and background —
either usually happy or silly, or very irritable angry, agitated or
aggressive.
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Experiencing an
unrealistic high in self-esteem. For example, a teenager who feels
all-powerful or like a superhero with special powers
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Great increase in
energy and the ability to go with little or no sleep for days
without feeling tired.
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The adolescent who,
talks too much, too fast and changes topic too quickly and can not
be interrupted.
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Distractibility —
teen’s attention moves constantly from one thing to the next
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Repeated high
risk-taking behaviour; such as abusing alcohol and drugs, reckless
driving, or sexual promiscuity.
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The depressive
symptoms are:
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Irritability, a
depressed mood, persistent sadness, frequent crying
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Thoughts of death
or suicide
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Thoughts of
enjoyment in favourite activities
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Frequent complaints
of physical illness such as headaches or stomach.
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A low energy level,
fatigue, poor concentration, complaints of boredom.
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A major change in
eating or sleeping patterns, such as oversleeping or overeating.
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Some of these
things are similar to those that occur in teenagers with other
problems such as drug abuse, delinquency, attention-deficit
hyperactivity, disorder, or even schizophrenia.
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The diagnosis can
only be made with careful observation over an extended period of
time.
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A thorough
evaluation by a child and adolescent psychiatrist can be helpful in
identifying problems and initiating specific treatment.
