The Reality of Bipolar in Adolescents
According to World Health Organization (WHO), the sixth leading cause of disability in the world is bipolar disease and adolescent bipolar. And the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has confirmed that a staggering number of 3.4 million children and adolescents may actually be suffering from depression, an early- onset of bipolar disorders, in the United States alone. Bipolar disease which is a mental illness has been discovered to cause a lot of problems both in how people live and their individual health.
Probable Causes of Adolescent Bipolar
When the chemicals in the brain become imbalanced, this causes a disorder called bipolar. Serious physiological and psychological problems happen when the brain chemical imbalance occurs. The rise of two brain chemicals, the neurotransmitters and especially the norepinephine to the danger level cause bipolar disorder. Genetics can also be one cause of bipolar disease. Parents who have bipolar have a higher risk of conveying the sickness to their children. Bipolar is caused not only by genes or multiple genetic combination’s, it can also be caused by the environment the person is living in. The place can be very depressing which than causes the imbalance in brain chemical. Other factors that can cause bipolar illness are emotional stress, the use of drugs, and other illness which may trigger symptoms in bipolar. It is highly likely that children suffering from anxiety disorders will eventually incur bipolar disorder.
Signs and 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
Adolescent bipolar disorder is in fact curable. The key to effectively treating the disease is immediate diagnosis and proper treatment plan. It is crucial for children and teens that are showing signs of changes in personality due to extreme moodiness, manifest symptoms of depression along with eating disorders, severe mood swings and suicidal tendencies to be subjected to a recommended treatment plan fast.
To treat bipolar disorder, patients are put under certain medications and advised to go under therapy. In terms of medication, children may need to take more than one drug depending on the complexity of their bipolar condition. The kind of therapy or psychotherapy designed for children and teens is often called talk therapy were they are coached to manage their symptoms and deal with their disease.
Treating your Child
The early-onset bipolar disorder, the bipolar disorder developed by children, can be more severe than those experienced by older teens and adults. They are more likely to manifest intense mood swings than that observed from adults suffering the disease. The episodes of mood shifts can last for days, weeks, months, years or even in a lifetime. Because of the extreme and often risky behavior elicited by the disease, it is imperative that parents take the proactive role in facing and understanding the nature of early-onset bipolar disorder.
