Bipolar disorder in teenagers is usually misdiagnosed. Because the first symptoms are typically the same as somebody dealing with unipolar depression, a teenager with mesa bipolar disorder can be labeled as having anxiety or being depressed. Also, children with ADHD can be misdiagnosed as bipolar, making it even harder to get early treatment.
Additionally, hormonal changes that usually come with adolescence can lead to behaviors that mimic behaviors related to bipolar disorder. Hormonal teenagers may deal with mood highs and lows within a short period. This can further confuse the diagnosis.
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms in Teenagers
Bipolar disorder includes depressive and manic episodes. Manic episodes include having a short temper, being euphoric, speaking quickly and switching subjects, having problems concentrating on tasks, having insomnia, and engaging in high-risk activities. Meanwhile, depressive episodes include feeling extremely sad, dealing with frequent stomachaches and headaches, overeating or undereating, and having suicidal thoughts.
To determine whether a teenager is dealing with bipolar symptoms or other mental health problems, mental health experts look into certain things. For a more accurate diagnosis, it can help to have a diary of episodes and moods.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment
If you believe your teenager has bipolar disorder, just calm down. After you get an accurate diagnosis from a mental health expert, you can access a lot of treatment options, such as the following:
- Therapy. Your child’s treatment plan includes therapy so your child learns to handle how they feel about their diagnosis. A therapist will work on getting your child to express their feelings, manage their symptoms, and improve their relationships. Therapies for bipolar disorder include cognitive behavior therapy, psychotherapy, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, and family-focused therapy.
- A mental health professional will determine the appropriate medications for your teenager. Typically, atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizers are prescribed for bipolar disorder. Once your child is on their medication plan, make sure you understand how the medication must be taken, the possible contraindications, side effects, and drug interactions. Usually, the treatment begins at the lowest dosage to manage your child’s symptoms. The doctor will increase the medications and dosages incrementally as necessary.
If you think your teenager has bipolar disorder, seek a professional diagnosis and begin treatment immediately. Those who begin treatment early can expect better outcomes than patients who wait. Mental health teams will help your child manage their condition and symptoms. They can offer round-the-clock care that concentrates on stabilizing patients and improving their overall functioning.
