subject: Bipolar Disorder In Teenagers [print this page] Bipolar Disorder In Teenagers
Research indicates that bipolar depression is just as common in teenagers as with adult groups. However, the condition can be much worse in this group of people if left untreated for many years perhaps explaining the reason why many teenage perform poorly in schools, use drugs and in extreme cases resort to suicide. The chances that a teenager will become a bipolar are determined by the history of both parents. Thus, where one parent was bipolar, the chances are less than 30% but in cases where both parents are bipolar this figure is even higher.
Common symptoms of bipolar depression in teenagers include moodiness, distraction, and abnormal social behaviors like withdrawal. These symptoms may be characteristic of other related disorders and can only be ascertained through a medial test. Teenagers are also vulnerable to the four types of bipolar personality disorders. For instance, in Bipolar 1, the teenager may display symptoms of lethargy, hopelessness, or sadness at depression stage and rashness and hallucinations at the manic phase. This is also experienced in the other types but in diminishing magnitude and recurrence.
There is actually no single identified trigger for this condition among teenagers. A reasonable explanation is that teenagers who now suffer from the condition had the disorder since childhood but it was latent. As they grew, some life events such as trauma and grief triggered the depression and after that the situation became manifest with succeeding experiences. In girls, this depression may be triggered with the onset of puberty and especially ovulation.
When planning to help teenagers, parents should first consult a psychiatrist who will carry out a test. This type of disorder cannot be determined from normal lab tests; doctor can establish the nature and magnitude of the condition. Hence they require a close examination especially when there are other conditions which have similar attributes. It is only through a thorough examination that a psychiatrist uncovers the cause. Usually, the psychiatrist will interview both or one of the parents with the view of understanding the family's mental health history. Treatment that is used in this group is more or less the same as with the other case of bipolar depression. The psychiatrist will prescribe medication based on the type of the disorder. Mania is more difficult than the mild depression. In treating teenagers for depression of this sort care should be taken to avoid using anti-depressants because they are known for altering mood swings and worsening the situation.
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