What Are the Causes of Teenage Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a condition that affects approximately one out of seven people in the United States each year. Bipolar disorder disrupts the normal functioning of the brain, affecting the way a person acts, thinks and feels. This can be difficult enough for an adult, but for teens who already face peer pressure and stress from home, work and school, it can be devastating. The exact cause of this disorder is not yet known, though there are many patterns that have developed, which allow doctors some insight as to why the symptoms appear and how to diagnose and treat it.
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Chemical Imbalance
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Inside the brain there are messengers called neurotransmitters. These regulate a person's mood, so if chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine are out of balance, the brain's regulation system will not work properly. This can result in bipolar disorder.
Genetics
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If someone in a teen's immediate family has bipolar disorder, the teen has an increased risk of being diagnosed with the disorder. This risk can be greater if one or both of the parents has the condition. In addition, if an immediate family member has a history of drug or alcohol abuse, the risk of a teen being diagnosed with bipolar disorder increases.
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Environmental
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Traumatic events that cause a teen excess stress such as a death in the family or the divorce of his parents may actually cause the teenager to experience his first episode of either mania or depression. Puberty also may be a contributing factor, as many girls display symptoms during their menstrual cycle.
Symptoms
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Teens with bipolar disorder may exhibit symptoms of mania, depression or a combination of both as they experience a swing between extreme highs and lows. Some of the most common symptoms of mania include being unusually happy or extremely angry, increase in energy, talking excessively, and displaying high risk behavior such as sexual promiscuity or drug and alcohol abuse. Depressive symptoms include suicidal thoughts, consistent sadness accompanied with constant crying, low energy levels, and drastic changes in eating or sleeping patterns.
Diagnosis
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It can be difficult to diagnose a teen with bipolar disorder because youths frequently do not display the same symptoms as adults do. In most cases, a teen's behavior has to be watched closely by a psychiatrist or psychologist, and input from family and friends is needed to attest to the teen's behavior. Many times, teens are either improperly diagnosed or not diagnosed at all, resulting in the wrong treatment or no treatment.
Treatment
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Though there is no cure for bipolar disorder, it can be managed. A doctor will work with a teenager and his family to develop a treatment plan, which often includes medication to stabilize his moods. He also may need counseling or psychotherapy. The doctor and the psychologist, as well as the family, will continue to observe his behavior closely in case an alteration in the treatment plan is required.
Considerations
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A teen with bipolar disorder can help combat the problem. Always take the medications as prescribed, even if you feel they are no longer necessary. If you experience any changes in your emotions or the way you are functioning, report it immediately to your family or doctor. Participate in therapy sessions and talk openly about your feelings rather than keep them in. Take necessary steps to reduce stress in your life by eating well, getting enough rest, and exercising. Join a support group geared toward teens who have bipolar disorder..
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Resources
- Photo Credit Photo courtesy of bpkids.org
