Manic-depressive illness or bipolar disorder is a serious brain illness. The person has a good chance of doing well if managed well. This brain illness is marked by extreme behavioral, mood and energy changes. This manic-depressive illness can be treated during infant years but this illness is more common in adolescent and adult stages.

Manic-depressive illness can look different in children than in adults. Usually children with this brain illness have mood disturbance (a mix of mania and depression) that is ongoing and continuous. A traumatic event or loss can trigger episodes of depression or mania in adolescents. The illness can reoccur independently if the person experiences stress or can get worse with stress. Without proper treatment or medication manic depressive illness can come again or will get worse.

Bipolar disorder in adolescents and substance abuse

Children can go through adolescents and puberty looking normal but a sudden onset of bipolar illness can lead to an addiction to drugs and alcohol. Because drugs and alcohol are readily available teens will attempt to use this substance to control their insomnia and mood swings. Bipolar disorder and addiction must be treated at the same time if they are diagnosed together.

Dramatic mood swings from very high to low and normal mood in between can be experienced by adolescent with bipolar. Dramatic changes in behavior, mood and energy level can swing from very high to very low. Bipolar highs are called mania, the low depression and the middle hippomania

The manic or mania stage in adolescents show an irritable and expansive mood, their happiness is unusual, difficulty in falling asleep and are not tired, talk a lot and are always talking, problems with concentrating, once they start talking it is hard to stop them and they are full of activities. Grandiose delusions are evident at the mania stage. Other signs are delusions of inflated knowledge, worth, power and identity. Hallucinations and engaging in risky activities are signs that the case is severe.

What are the treatments?

There are several ways bipolar disorder can be treated, like:

Taking medication

There are several types of bipolar medications. Doctors usually prescribe medications according to the symptoms and the severity of the condition. Sometimes, a combination of medications may be necessary to show desirable effects. Parents, however, should be aware that abruptly stopping these kinds of medication can harm the patient. So a doctor’s advice should always be sought.

Therapy that is commonly used for bipolar disorder in adolescent is the talk therapy known as psychotherapy. It is a good and effective therapy. The aim of this therapy is to change teens life style especially their daily routines and behaviors. To show any improvements patients require many sessions attending psychotherapy.

Support groups among bipolar patients

Bipolar support groups can learn and help each other by communicating and opening up to each other. Knowing that they are not alone and there are others out there who are also suffering from ups and downs people go through it is abnormal and more powerful. Some may try to commit suicide or harm themselves. Because of these problems, bipolar medication, therapies and support groups are all important in helping patients cope with the illness.

Is your teen child showing sign of bipolar symptoms, appropriate action must be immediately be taken. Because it is quite dangerous bipolar disorder must not be taken for granted. It is normal for people to experience the ups and downs of life but bipolar people are abnormal and very powerful. Because of the chances of harming themselves and trying to commit suicide are great bipolar patients are encouraged to seek medication, therapies and support groups to help them their bipolar disorder.