Almost every teenager has mood swings. The occasional slammed door or burst of excitement is a normal part of adolescence. But when those mood shifts become extreme, prolonged, and disruptive to daily life, they may signal something more serious.
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mental health condition marked by intense shifts between emotional highs and lows. The International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF) reports that an estimated 3% of adolescents will experience bipolar disorder. Teens living with bipolar disorder experience unique challenges that parents must recognize to offer the right support and, if needed, professional help.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder in Teens
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes bipolar disorder in children and teens as a condition marked by manic episodes, depressive episodes, or “mixed” episodes that include symptoms of both. Individuals frequently swing between these intense emotional states, from one type of episode to another. These mood episodes often last for days or weeks and are frequently accompanied by drastic changes in a teen’s energy level, sleep, and focus.
Understanding Manic Episodes
The Cleveland Clinic characterizes manic episodes as periods of greatly increased energy, mood, and activity. NIMH notes that common signs and symptoms of mania in teens and young adults include:
- Difficulties in sleeping and staying focused
- Showing intense happiness or silliness for an extended length of time
- Experiencing racing thoughts or fast speech
- An increased participation in risky behaviors
- Extreme irritability or a short temper
The IBPF explains that periods of mild mania, known as hypomania, can feel enjoyable and outwardly resemble healthy functioning in teens. However, these periods can escalate into periods of depression or into more serious mania episodes associated with psychosis. These facts stress the importance of professional evaluation if there is any question about a teen’s mood swings or overall mental health.
Recognizing Depressive Episodes
Individuals experiencing depressive episodes often feel sad, emotionally numb, and fatigued. NIMH explains that depressive episodes in teens with bipolar disorder are associated with:
- Feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- Increased irritability, anger, and hostility
- Difficulties in communicating and maintaining relationships
- A lack of energy or interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Individuals with bipolar disorder can also experience mixed episodes, which share characteristics of both manic and depressive episodes. The Psychiatric Times writes that these mixed episodes can be especially common in adolescents. Further, Mental Health America notes that these mixed episodes have been associated with an increased suicide risk, underscoring the danger of untreated bipolar disorder.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
There are numerous types of bipolar disorder. The types differ in the kinds of episodes an individual experiences. They also differ in terms of their impact on daily functioning, the presence of psychosis symptoms, and how they are treated.
In Type 1 bipolar disorder, individuals alternate between manic and depressive episodes.
In Type 2 bipolar disorder, individuals experience depressive episodes, but not manic episodes. Instead, they alternate between depressive episodes and episodes of “hypomania.” Hypomania episodes are similar to manic episodes, but less extreme.
The Cleveland Clinic offers more helpful information on the different types of bipolar disorder, including cyclothymic disorder and other related disorders.
Bipolar Disorder in Adolescence
Bipolar disorder does not look the same in every teen. Some teens experience clearly separated episodes of mania and depression, while others experience mixed episodes. Some teens also experience rapid cycling, moving through four or more distinct mood episodes within a year. Others have longer stretches of stability between episodes.
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia writes that bipolar disorder can be especially difficult to diagnose in teens. This is because its symptoms, such as elevations in energy, are often associated with other disorders. Healthline notes that individuals with bipolar disorder often experience another mental health condition as well. An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by an experienced mental health professional rather than relying on a single conversation or checklist.
When to Seek Professional Support
Parents may wonder if there are ways to distinguish between normal mood swings and the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Experts recommend asking few a key questions. One is whether a teen’s mood swings have outward causes or if they appear out of nowhere. University of Utah Health notes that bipolar mood swings often lack a clear external cause.
The IBPF also offers four more questions parents can ask to evaluate their teen’s emotional health and behavior. These include:
- Intensity: How intense or extreme are the teen’s emotions or behaviors?
- Frequency: How often do such intense or extreme behaviors or mood swings occur?
- Duration: How long do the episodes last?
- Functionality: How well does the teen function at home, in school, and with friends?
When any doubt persists, families can consult a pediatrician with their concerns. From there, referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist experienced with bipolar disorder in young people can lead to an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Treatment Approaches for Adolescent Bipolar Disorder
The American Psychological Association recommends a combination of medication and psychotherapy to treat pediatric bipolar disorder. Effective treatment for bipolar disorder in teens typically combines medication with structured psychotherapy. This may include mood-stabilizing and antipsychotic medications as prescribed and monitored by a psychiatrist. Medication can help adolescents reach the stability necessary to improve daily function and benefit from therapy.
Therapy plays an equally important role. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) writes that numerous forms of therapy have been found effective in treating individuals with bipolar disorder. Family-focused therapy, or FFT, equips teens and their families with problem-solving, communication, and support skills targeted towards bipolar disorder. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy is another treatment that focuses on regulating daily routines and sleep cycles, which can lead to more stable moods.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help teens recognize the thought patterns and triggers connected to their mood episodes. Over time, CBT helps teens replace these negative thoughts with more accurate and self-affirming beliefs. This also leads to healthier behaviors and emotional responses.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) builds distress tolerance and emotional regulation skills that are especially valuable for teens navigating intense mood swings. DBT teaches teens that they can accept challenging feelings without reacting negatively. It also equips teens with valuable interpersonal skills.
Professional Treatment for Adolescent Bipolar Disorder at Pillars Adolescent in Concord, Massachusetts
At Pillars Adolescent, we understand how disruptive and frightening bipolar disorder can feel for both teens and their families. Our teen outpatient treatment programs are designed to provide structured, compassionate care for teens managing bipolar disorder and other mental health challenges. We’re located at 80-1 Beharrell St, Concord, Massachusetts.
Our Full-Day Teen Outpatient Treatment Program offers intensive support for teens whose mood episodes are significantly affecting daily functioning. For teens who need clinical support with greater flexibility, our Half-Day Teen Outpatient Treatment Program fits treatment around school and family commitments.
Our clinical teams deliver evidence-based approaches, including CBT and DBT, through both individual and group sessions. We work closely with families throughout the process to involve them in their teen’s treatment and build a strong support system around each teen.
Moving Forward With a Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis
Bipolar disorder does not have to control a teen’s life and well-being. With consistent treatment and support, teens with bipolar disorder can learn to manage their symptoms, find stability, and lead full, healthy lives.
Take the first step toward healing and happiness for your teen and your family. Contact Pillars Adolescent today at 855-828-0575 for compassionate support, personalized care, and answers to your questions.
