The Facts About Bipolar in Adolescents
Bipolar disease and adolescent bipolar is considered the sixth leading cause of disability in the world. This according to (WHO) the World Health Organization. A staggering number of about 3.4 million children and adolescents who are suffering from depression in America alone may be experiencing an early-onset of bipolar disorder according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Bipolar disease which is the cause of major disruptions in lifestyle and health is now considered a psychiatric illness.
Probable Cause of Adolescent Bipolar
Bipolar disorder is primarily caused by a chemical imbalance within the brain. For the brain to control emotions, perform decision making tasks and control physical activities, it needs to be stimulated by these neurotransmitters. A chemical imbalance would mean serious physiological as well as psychological problems. A substantial rise and fall of these neurotransmitters, particularly the norepinephrine, to the normal levels may cause bipolar disorder. The role of genetics is also an accounted cause of the disease. Children of parents suffering from the disorder are of high risk of manifesting symptoms of bipolar disease types. However, the disease would not occur just because of a single gene but because of multiple genetic combination’s as well as environmental factors that promote the onset of the bipolar disease and adolescent bipolar symptoms. Also, experiencing a period of emotional stress, drug use, illness and other events can trigger bipolar symptoms. Children suffering from anxiety disorders are highly likely to develop bipolar disorder.
Visible Symptoms
Symptoms and Signs The primary characteristic of bipolar in adolescent is the intense mood swings. There are generally three phases in bipolar; mania, depression and manic depression. Common signs and symptoms of mania include; an unusual feeling of high and optimistic OR extremely irritable, grandiose, and unrealistic beliefs about ones abilities or powers, very little sleep, jumping quickly from one idea to the next, easily distractible, unable to concentrate, acts recklessly without thinking about the consequences, hallucinations and delusions (in severe cases). Common symptoms of bipolar depression include feeling sad, hopeless or empty, very irritable, unable to experience pleasure, easily tired or loss of energy, physical and mental sluggishness , change of appetite or weight changes, problems with sleeping, concentration and memory problems. A mixed episode of bipolar disorder features symptoms of both mania or hypomania and depression.This combination of high energy and low mood makes for a particularly high risk of suicide
Available Treatment for Bipolar Disorder in Adolescent
Adolescents with bipolar disorder have been cured, so the illness is treatable. In order to effectively treat bipolar, early diagnosis and a good and proper plan for the diagnosis is very important. And those children already showing signs of personality change due to extreme moodiness, depression along with eating disorders and suicidal tendencies must be recommended for treatment as soon as possible.
When treating patients with bipolar, they are advised to go into therapy after taking certain medications. Depending on the complexities of the illness, children may take more than one drug. Talk therapy or psychotherapy are designed for children to help them manage their illness.
Helping your Child
Just the early stage of bipolar in children can be more severe than the ones experienced by adult or teenagers. Mood swings experienced by teenagers or adults can be less intense than those experienced by children. These mood episodes can last for days, weeks, months or even stay with the person for the rest of their life. Knowing the early onset of bipolar is important for parents to take a proactive role in fighting bipolar disease.