World Bipolar Day is a holiday dedicated to raising awareness of the prevalence of bipolar among teens and children. Its purpose is to decrease the stigma associated with bipolar disorder in youth and increase understanding of this illness. Teen mental health treatment makes it possible to live harmoniously with bipolar disorder at any age.
At Fort Behavioral Health, we have extensive experience treating youth who suffer from bipolar disorder. If you or a teen in your life might benefit from teen mental health treatment, contact our Fort Behavioral Health team online or at 844.332.1807 to learn more.
Bipolar Disorder in Teens
Bipolar disorder affects approximately forty million people worldwide. It’s a spectrum condition commonly treated with medications and rehabilitation programs to prevent future episodes of the illness. Bipolar disorder is a chronic yet treatable mental illness that causes extreme mood swings, with periods of mania and depression.
The most common symptoms of bipolar disorder include:
- Periods of extreme mood swings, both high and low
- Impulsivity
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Emotional instability
- Excessive activity in creative or intellectual endeavors
Teen bipolar disorder can be challenging for young people because they are going through life-changing experiences, including puberty which comes with hormonal shifts. Additionally, young people have limited education regarding mental health and what it means to have bipolar disorder. While many support groups exist today, there is a distinct lack of knowledge concerning this disorder among teens and children.
Bipolar Disorder Types and Treatments
There are several types of bipolar disorders, and the condition manifests differently in each individual. There are types based on gender and age. A person diagnosed with type one manic depression may also suffer from other types.
To complicate matters further, some individuals may experience symptoms for years before finding a diagnosis, leading to confusion and distress. The spectrum of bipolar disorders is sometimes called “dysphoric mood disorders” due to their extreme affective swings, which can leave a person disconnected from reality for extended periods of time.
Sometimes medication is used to treat these mood disorders alongside psychotherapy and behavioral therapy. Unfortunately, there is still much that isn’t known about how these medications affect the development of mental illnesses in young people. So, it’s essential to balance types of treatment and ensure that drugs are only used for short periods of time and augmented with behavioral therapy.
Bipolar disorder affects one in every fifty teens. So if you suspect that a teen you love may be suffering from bipolar disorder, they must receive the help and support they need to live an entire and healthy life.
Supporting Teens with Bipolar Disorder
World Bipolar Day recognizes the mental illness of bipolar disorder and its impact on the lives of individuals, families, and communities. The truth is that bipolar disorder never affects only the person suffering from the condition. Instead, its effects inevitably ripple outward to impact family, friends, and loved ones which is why increased awareness and support for persons with bipolar disorder is so crucial.
Supporting your child or teen with bipolar disorder is easier than it may seem. Understanding how bipolar disorder affects teens can help inform you when they need guidance regarding their emotions or behaviors.
Celebrate World Bipolar Day with Fort Behavioral Health
At Fort Behavioral Health, our professionals have extensive experience supporting teens with bipolar disorder and supporting their families through the process. We serve the greater Fort Worth, Texas region. We offer the most up-to-date and well-researched treatments available. In addition, we are committed to helping each person live the most full and healthy life possible. Our teen mental health treatment programs include a well-rounded complement of interventions that holistically treat body and mind. Reach out to us online or at 844.332.1807 for more information or to schedule a consultation.
