Living with bipolar disorder can be a challenging experience for teenagers. The disorder is characterized by extreme shifts in mood, energy levels, and behavior. These changes can be hard for teens to navigate as they are already going through a rollercoaster of emotions during this stage of their life. If you believe your teen could benefit from bipolar disorder treatment, contact Ohio Center for Adolescent Wellness at 888.890.7141. Our mental health treatment helps teens manage symptoms so they can live a happy, fulfilling life.
How Bipolar Disorder Can Present in Teens
Bipolar disorder in teens can be challenging to identify, as it often mimics typical adolescent behavior, while significantly impacting their daily lives. It is characterized by extreme mood swings that range from manic highs to depressive lows. During manic episodes, teens may appear unusually energetic, overly confident, or engage in risky behaviors. In contrast, depressive episodes can leave them feeling sad, hopeless, or withdrawn. Other signs include:
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Irritability
- Difficulty maintaining relationships or school performance
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
Bipolar disorder can significantly impact a teenager’s life, negatively affecting their relationships with family and friends, academic performance. It can lead to substance misuse issues if they try to self-medicate symptoms.
Our Approach to Bipolar Treatment
Our programs integrate evidence based treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to help teens develop coping mechanisms and emotional regulation skills. We also emphasize the importance of medication management, working closely with teens and their families to find the most effective medication regimen while monitoring any side effects. Our holistic approach ensures that we address not only the symptoms of bipolar disorder but also the underlying factors contributing to each teen’s challenges.
