Young People with Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a condition that affects over five million Americans. It is difficult to diagnose, but it affects those having the condition with severe mood swings. One minute they may be in a manic state, and the next they may be extremely depressed. It affects men and women alike, and it also affects young people.

Bipolar disorder in children under age 10 is extremely rare, but there are documented cases, and the number of bipolar cases in children and adolescents is steadily increasing. Bipolar disorder in young people is usually diagnosed in the late teens to early 20s. The first signs are the typical extreme highs and lows. Other signs include a decline in the quality of schoolwork or losing interest in school altogether. They may find it difficult to concentrate, and they may feel fatigued and unmotivated. Activities that they usually enjoy may start to become ignored, and they may start to lose their appetitive and experience weight loss. Other symptoms may include the inability to sleep, irritability, unrealistic ideas, taking risks, and behaving totally out of character.

The key to treating Bipolar disorder in young people is to get an early diagnosis and to start treatment early before the disorder can do extreme harm, which could result in hospitalization.

Several medications have been developed that are extremely beneficial in treating the disorder. It is important that bipolar disorder patients continue to see their physicians and stay on their prescribed medications. Close monitoring is essential to ensure that relapses do not occur. Counseling has also proven to be quite successful.

The world is a stressful place for young people in general. However, those with bipolar disorder have an extra dimension of stress that requires an abundance of patience and understanding.