BIPOLAR DISORDER (MANIC DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS) IN TEENS

 

What is Bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder may have an ongoing combination of extremely high (manic) and low (depressed) moods. In this disorder persons may feel both extremes of being elated and depressed in a cycle of varying episodes. It is also known as manic depressive psychosis.

What is the age bipolar disorder can start?
Most of the time it starts in adult life. Sometimes it occurs in teenagers but rarely in young children. Chances of having this disorder are high if father or mother or one of the parents has this problem. Family history of drug or alcohol abuse may be one of the reasons with Bipolar disorder in teens.

What are the symptoms of Bipolar disorder?
During the manic phase, they have unrealistic high self-esteem. Some times patients feel powerful or a superhero or having special power. They talk incessantly changing topics quickly and have frequent changes in mood. Sometimes they are happy or silly, sometimes very angry, agitated or aggressive. During the depressive phase, they are depressed, have poor self esteem.

What is the treatment of bipolar disorder?
Treatment for bipolar disorder usually includes education of the patient and the family about the illness, mood stabilizing drugs such as lithium and psychotherapy. Treatment needs to be taken under supervision of a psychiatrist and maybe required for several years.

 

Last updated on 01-03-2007


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