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Bipolar Disorder in Troubled Teens

Troubled teens that are acting out with mood swings, have low self esteem, or are becoming violent may have bipolar disorder. Often times signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder is not the same in teens as in adults. Diagnosing troubled teens with bipolar disorder takes plenty of observation and is very complex. Often times if parents or family of troubled teens have bipolar disorder, teens are more likely to suffer from this disorder because of genetics.

Teens that struggle with bipolar disorder will have high highs and lowest of lows, they can be extremely happy or irritable. Teens are more likely to express their sadness or depression with anger. Teenagers have a difficult time expressing their feelings, therefore parents, peers and adults like teachers must look for the symptoms of troubled teens with bipolar disorder. 

Symptoms of Troubled Teens with Bipolar Disorder

  • Irritability
  • Separation and social anxiety
  • Easily distracted
  • Depression and Sadness
  • Oversensitivity (over-emotional) 
  • Risk-taking behaviors
  • Suicidal thoughts or tendencies 
  • Self-harm or self-defeating behaviors
  • Manipulative 
  • Oppositional behavior or ODD

Bipolar disorder can often times cause troubled teens to lack motivation to do activities they once enjoyed doing such as sports, video games, and socializing. This is caused by the depression side of having bipolar disorder. Not only do troubled teenagers with bipolar disorder lose motivation but some times they gain or lose weight because of lack of or overeating. Sleeping behaviors can go through a drastic change in troubled teens with bipolar disorder. Troubled teens with bipolar disorder might become more sexually active, experiment with drugs and alcohol, and skip school.

These are dangers that parents should watch for, as they can be detrimental to troubled teens. However, there is hope for parents of troubled teens with bipolar disorder. Residential Treatment Centers provide teens with a structured, safe, and caring facility for them to recover and heal. Troubled teenagers with bipolar disorder can find healthy ways to express their emotions in residential treatment centers as well.

 

Here at Zion Educational Systems, we aid parents to find help for their teens. For more information, contact us here.

 

Related Article:

How to Help a Teen with Anxiety and Depression?
Understanding Bipolar Depression in Children and Teenagers

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