Signs of Bipolar Disorder in Teens

You take a good look at your kid. You remember the teen years well. The rebellious stages, the moodiness, and the drama. But when is it more than that? Maybe you have suspected for a while that your child’s mood swings are more severe. Or perhaps your child was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Educating yourself is the first step in helping with bipolar disorder in teens.

Identifying Bipolar Disorder in Teens

The signs of bipolar disorder in teens can mirror other emotional disorders as it includes symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders. Some teens develop both bipolar and other mental health conditions, such as ADHD. Only a medical professional can determine anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder in teens.

However, knowing the signs of bipolar disorder in teens can help you make suggestions and learn how to help your child manage symptoms.

Manic Episodes

Bipolar disorder in teens is characterized by days or weeks of high highs, referred to as manic episodes, followed by days or weeks of low lows, referred to as depressive episodes. These episodes can cycle for years, disrupting a child’s life, education, work, and relationships.

The following are several signs of a manic episode.

• Increased activity
• Talking and moving quickly
• On top of schoolwork, sports, and projects
• Increase in risky behaviors
• Inflated ego and self-importance

The child may feel restless and have too much energy to burn. They move around quickly, and their gestures are fast. They seem not to need much sleep and get through schoolwork quickly. But they may also engage in risky behaviors, such as alcohol consumption, substance abuse, and unprotected sex. A teen in a bipolar manic episode may think of themselves with grandiosity and an inflated ego. They expect everyone around them to notice their importance.

A manic episode may not last as long as a depressive episode, and vice versa. For example, a teen may experience a manic episode that lasts one week, followed by a two-month-long depressive episode.

Depressive Episodes

Depressive episodes can be just as dangerous as manic episodes. The teen may still engage in risky behavior, but may also self-harm or have suicidal thoughts. If your child harms themselves or others, or mentions suicidal ideations, seek help immediately.

The following are several signs of a depressive episode.

• Persistent sadness
• Withdrawal from friends
• Mood swings and anger
• Low self-esteem
• Inability to focus
• Academic issues
• Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
• Self-harm or suicidal thoughts

Manic and depressive episodes can feel like night and day. Suddenly, your extroverted, high-energy teenager is sullen and withdrawn. The high self-esteem they displayed a few weeks ago has disappeared, leaving behind someone unsure of themselves.

Their grades may drop, and they may lose interest in the activities they rallied for a month ago. They become irritable and angry over minor inconveniences. There may be rifts in the relationships in the home between parent and child or between siblings.

Christian Counseling for Teens in Carlsbad, CA

Christian counseling in Carlsbad, Californiai is available to treat bipolar disorder in teens. Our office will connect you to a counselor in Carlsbad specializing in emotional disorders, psychotherapy techniques, and faith-based principles to help your teen manage symptoms and thrive as they draw closer to Christ. Call us today at Carlsbad Christian Counseling to schedule an assessment.