“Mood swings” is a renowned trigger word for parents of adolescents. Pre-
pubescent children experience mood swings in the same nuisance manner that parents
despise, until they reach puberty. Upon passing puberty, these mood swings become
more erratic, emotional, and dynamic because of hormone changes that parents and
children are collectively aware of. We all have experienced it in our own ways, but
where do we draw the line between what is “part of growing” and what is a disorder?
Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, is a type of depression and mental health
condition that causes extreme emotional fluctuations. It consists of emotional highs,
better known as mania or hypomania (less severe than mania), and lows, also known
as depression. Someone with the disorder may feel sad and hopeless during their
depressive phase, then euphoric and unusually irritable during their manic phase. It’s
common to experience a transition from depression to mania or both phases
simultaneously, with each episode lasting several days. Bipolar disorder is categorized
into two types, with type I individuals having experiences at least one manic episode
that comes before or after a depressive episode, while type II individuals having at least
one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode. Individuals with
type II typically have experienced a manic episode. Such drastic mood changes affect
sleep, energy, focus, judgement, and behavior in crucial ways. The rundown of bipolar
disorder is simple through a general lens, but how does it look in teenagers, who might
experience mood swings regularly?
In teens, it’s very common for bipolar disorder to be mistaken for other mental
health disorders or even overlooked as “normal”. Common problems that bipolar
adolescents may experience during their depressive phase include loss of interest in
activities once enjoyed, drops in enjoy, frequent bodily complains, running away or
threats of running away from home, sensitive to failure or rejection, hostility, aggression,
guilt, and low self esteem. During a manic phase, bipolar adolescents may experience
an overly heightened self-esteem, easy distraction, irritability, taking part in high-risk
activities that may have harmful result, heightened sex drive, and hallucinations.
It’s extremely important to note that individuals with bipolar disorder experience
manic and hypomanic episodes in a way that surpasses the individual’s “usual”
behavior. These episodes may cause more problems at work, school, social activities,
and in relationships. Similarly, individuals with bipolar disorder experience depressive
episodes more dramatically than individuals who may feel momentarily sad or
unmotivated, as their depressed mood, loss of interest, unusual sleep patterns, and loss of energy and focus can interfere with their work and school attendance, performance,
and participation in social activities. In children, moods can shift faster than adults and
children may even have periods without mood symptoms in between their episodes.
Mood swings in adolescents with bipolar disorder will tend to distinguish themselves
more abruptly and dramatically from their usual mood swings, allowing the disorder to
be better understood and recognized.
As far as seeking treatment, many individuals with bipolar disorder are unaware
of how their disorder emotionally disrupts their lives and the people around them,
causing them to delay their treatment process. Instead of learning how to control
unpredictable emotional fluctuations by yourself, it’s extremely important to see your
healthcare or mental health professional for ways to keep symptoms under control.
Bipolar disorder without the right treatment and guidance can result in serious
consequences as a result of manic and depressive episodes, including substance
abuse, suicide, legal or financial problems, poor work and school performance, and
social withdrawal. These risks are detrimental to the life experiences of adults and
children, especially when they’re gone unnoticed. To avoid heightening symptoms, it’s
recommended to practice good sleep habits and stay away from drugs or alcohol, as
these factors often cause bipolar instability, worsen symptoms, and even cause
symptoms to return.
Because the direct causes of bipolar disorder are largely unknown and some
cases may be inherited, it’s crucial to spot the disorder early and seek expert help to
help ease symptoms and improve quality of life. Because it’s a life-long condition,
treatment depends on many factors such as symptoms severity, age, and general
health. Treatments for adolescents may include mood-stabilizing prescriptions,
antidepressants, follow-up consultations, talk therapy, family therapy, and even
confronting the individual’s school. With these resources, the local community and
parents can create an optimal treatment plan and support group for adolescents to
prevent the long-term consequences of BPD symptoms and spread awareness of
bipolar disorder’s symptoms and support for adolescents.
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/health-library/bipolar-disorder-in-teens
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955
