|
Bipolar Disorder In An Adolescent
Pediatric Bipolar DisorderCharting Pediatric Bipolar Disorder A diagnosis of pediatric bipolar disorder, as tricky as it is to diagnose accurately, is ..... How to Identify Bipolar Disorder in an Adolescent
Summary
Children and teens with bipolar disorder tend to have phases of low periods they may isolate themselves from friends, disappear into their rooms, and start drinking or smoking (cigarettes or marijuana) and show signs of apathy toward friends, grades, or favorite activities. Of course, these are followed or preceded by periods of extreme highs, but may not immediately transition from one mood to the other. Identifying bipolar disorder in an adolescent can save his or her life especially those who are suicidal.
What to Watch For
Information On Bipolar DisorderThree Sources of Information on Bipolar Disorder Bipolar affective disorder is a mental illness that wreaks havoc with the .....
Presuming a teen has not undergone a recent trauma or loss that might attribute to their feelings of isolation or if the normal period of grief or isolation lasts far longer than reasonable, it is truly time to suggest they may need to see someone. Whether or not a teen has all the warning signs, or if a teacher suggests something may be amiss, there are certain symptoms that might suggest bipolar disorder in an adolescent.
Watch for a change or absence in friends, giving away treasured items, disinterest in previously exciting activities, apathy to the world around them, cruelty to pets, or self-mutilation. Increased aggression or extreme mood swings may also be noted by family, teachers, and friends. Maybe not surprisingly, bipolar disorder in an adolescent has several of the same symptoms you would see if a teen was suicidal.
Bipolar II DisorderWhat is Bipolar II Disorder Bipolar II disorder is defined as a mental condition in which an individual experiences ..... Offer Assistance
In the best possible scenarios, when a parent is considering the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in an adolescent, a teen will respond simply to a verbal suggestion. For example, if they come home from school, or a sporting event, or other outing and are unexplainably happy almost giddy there may be a problem. However, a parent who has seen a teen feeling down for so long may not understand the symptom to be a manic episode it might just be seen as a welcome change from the lows they ve been experiencing. It is this type of behavior the giddiness that can start to accompany other destructive behaviors, including substance abuse or promiscuity.
Ask the youth if everything is ok, or if they are feeling anxious or nervous. There is still hope for a child who can relate feelings of remorse or regret, guilt or paranoia, anxiety or panic. If a teen answers affirmatively and thinks (or doesn t know) talking to someone will help, suggest starting with the teen s physician. If the teen denies there is anything wrong, they may need to be committed to a mental health facility or inpatient treatment center, even if it s for evaluation purposes only. Diagnosing bipolar disorder in an adolescent is a very serious situation, and the best possible treatment requires immediate attention. In some cases, intervention may be necessary.
|
