Bipolar disorder is a chronic and serious mood disorder that usually appears in the late teens or early adulthood.
Typically, people with bipolar disorder experience periods of extreme happiness or high energy and activity. These are known as manic episodes. Before or after a manic episode, a person with bipolar disorder may experience periods of intense sadness and depression. These periods are known as depressive episodes.
You can be rest assured that at Skooc, you and your family are in good hands.
Episodes of mania or depression may happen irregularly and follow an unpredictable pattern, or they may be linked with a manic episode always following a period of depression, or vice versa.
Keep a lookout for some of the following signs of mania in your teenager:
racing speech and thoughts
increased energy
decreased need for sleep
elevated mood and exaggerated optimism
increased physical and mental activity
excessive irritability, aggressive behaviour, and impatience
poor judgment
reckless behaviour, like excessive spending, making rash decisions, and erratic driving
difficulty concentrating
inflated sense of self-importance
Keep a lookout for some of the following signs of depression in your teenager:
loss of interest in usual activities
prolonged sad or irritable mood
loss of energy or fatigue
feelings of guilt or worthlessness
sleeping too much or inability to sleep
drop in grades and inability to concentrate
inability to experience pleasure
appetite loss or overeating
anger, worry, and anxiety
thoughts of death or suicide
If you notice recurring instances of a few of these symptoms in your teenager, we at Skooc recommend a formal evaluation.
At Skooc, we help you better understand what you and your teenager are going through. A psychiatrist will conduct a mental health assessment to determine if your teenager has bipolar disorder. Consequently, a medical or mental health professional will take the following steps when assessing a teenager for bipolar:
Physical exam: A thorough physical will help a doctor isolate any medical issues that may be contributing to depressive or manic symptoms, such as thyroid problems.
Lab tests: Should a physical indicate any medical problems, a doctor may order lab tests to confirm or rule out contributing issues.
Interview: A physician or psychiatrist will talk with you about your mood swings, lifestyle habits, and behaviours. This will help identify the likelihood of a bipolar diagnosis, as well as any co-occurring disorders. Anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and eating disorders are common conditions that can occur with bipolar in young adults.
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Next Steps and Intervention
Our team of professional psychologists at Skooc can help you and your family by providing the necessary interventions. Talking with a therapist can help them manage their symptoms, express their feelings, and have better relationships with loved ones. There are a number of different types of therapy treatments:
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help your teen work out the stress associated with bipolar disorder. It can also help them identify issues they can address during sessions. Teens with bipolar disorder can have individual sessions or go to group therapy sessions.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy can help your teen learn problem-solving skills and ways to turn negative thoughts and behaviours into positive ones.
Interpersonal therapy is also known as interpersonal and social rhythm therapy. It focuses on minimizing family disputes and disruptions in daily routines or social rhythms that might trigger new episodes.
Family-focused therapy helps families work through intense emotions and stresses. It also promotes family problem solving and conflict resolution. Itβs considered the best type of therapy for children.