Apr 29 2009
Medication for Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder has been around for a long time now. However, till very recently it was clubbed with normal depression owing to the varying nature of the disease. Millions of people around the world are affected by bipolar disorder. Most of them are adults but a sizeable chunk of the population includes adolescents as well. Bipolar medication and adolescent bipolar has been capturing the interests of researchers, doctors and physicians world wide due to the increased complexity of diagnosis in the adolescents. Hence, there are new studies being conducted in the field of bipolar medication and adolescent bipolar. As it is in the teenage years, it is a stage where an individual is dealing with a new sense of self and independence. The hormonal changes make them unpredictable and moody. This problem is seriously compounded when coupled with Bipolar disorder in adolescents.
What Bipolar Disorder Defined
Before taking a look into the symptoms of bipolar related to adolescent bipolar, it is critical to know what is really meant by bipolar. Due to the phases of mania and depression which characterize this disease, bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive disorder. Patients go through repeated phases of mania, or euphoria, or elation which are then followed by phases of depression. Energy levels, basic body functions, concentration, and even decision making abilities are seriously affected by these phases. The basic senses which are required to lead a healthy life are affected by bipolar disorder.
It does have a cure even though it is a serious disease with serious implications. Eliminating its symptoms and effects can be done by getting the right counseling and medicines many a times. There is, however, different approach required to take on adolescent bipolar disorder because it is more complex.
Adolescents with Bipolar
Bipolar disorder is normally seen to be noticeable during the late adolescent or early adulthood in most people. There have been reports of bipolar disorder cases in early teens even though they are not as frequent. The Early Onset Bipolar Disorder is what this phenomenon is known as and is characterized by repeated mood swings. Furthermore, the severity of the symptoms is seen as more intense due to the fairly low emotional development in teenagers.
How You Can Recognize Bipolar Disorder in Adolescents
Adolescent Bipolar disorder has almost the same symptoms which are seen in adult bipolar disorder. These include lethargy, extreme mood swings, erratic attention span, depression, euphoria and even excessive talkativeness.
Here are some ways to recognize the symptoms of early bipolar in your teenager:
Is there a change in your teen’s behavior at school or with his friends?
Are people trying to avoid your teen and do they have a problem in making friends?
If you start hearing about more disciplinary incidents involving your teen.
You need to take immediate action if your teenager has started displaying any of these symptoms. Getting to the bottom of the situation is critical; don’t just write these incidents off because it could be serious. Most parents might not take it serious as they may credit these problems to “growing up” years when it may be more serious. It is suggested to have a psychiatrist examine your child. One thing that must be taken to thought is that the earlier you catch this disorder in your teen, the better the chances are for a complete cure. If you want to understand bipolar medication and adolescent bipolar better, there are many resources available on the web which can help you.
Treating It:
The treatment for adolescent bipolar disorder is usually a combination of therapy and medication. Anti depressants, anti-anxiety prescriptions and mood stabilizers are usually prescribed. No matter what kind of treatment, bipolar disorder needs to be taken very seriously. Remember, the sooner the problem is diagnosed, the more the chance of your teen leading a normal life.
