Bipolar Adolescent Treatment is Different

Bipolar adolescent treatment has not been as well researched or received as much attention as the bipolar child. This may be because people lump teens and children together or because people lump teens and adults together. Neither is a good idea, because the bipolar adolescent is unique. This page discusses treatment for an adolescent after they have stabilized. Until a child or adolescent is stabilized on medicine most treatment will be fruitless. Each section below highlights key points for treatment of the bipolar adolescent.

Click here to learn more about parenting the bipolar adolescent.

They Need Extra Help from Mom and Dad

Treatment for the bipolar teenagers must balance the need for the child to have individuality and confidentiality with the need to involve the family. Many families who are well intentioned think teens require their own space and time with a therapist. Treating a bipolar adolescent without family involvement is usually unsuccessful. In therapy these bipolar teenagers tell me their parents don’t understand how much help they need. Many of them feel their parents and others expect them to be an adult and they are not ready to handle any of these responsibilities. They feel they need more help from their parents then the normal teen, and they often want them to participate in therapy.

They Need Help Managing Stress

The bipolar teenager, even when stable, has a very hard time managing stress. They are vulnerable to stressful situations but struggle with self awareness about this. They need assistance recognizing the physical signs of stress in their bodies, coping with that stress, and reaching out to others to communicate that stress. Therapy can focus on assisting them in acquiring these skills.

They Need Assistance with Goal Setting

Bipolar teenagers often “bite off more than they can chew". They seem to have no concept of what they can handle and what they can't. In response to realizing they are overwhelmed by a task, they often shut down completely. Part of this may be because when they are experiencing mania they think they can handle more than they actually can. Therapy teaches kids to take small steps towards their goals, thus allowing them to experience success.

They Want Social Acceptance, but don’t know how to Choose Good Friends

The bipolar adolescent struggles with acceptance of peers and with understanding the opposite sex. Their judgment is often impaired. They may choose friends who are not healthy for them or put themselves in situations with peers where they are treated badly. Adolescent bipolar disorder treatment must focus on these issues. They need help realizing their value as a person (self esteem), setting boundaries for themselves, and setting standards for how they will allow themselves to be treated.

They Lack Understanding about their Illness

Despite repeated education about signs of mania and depression, bipolar teenagers often seem unaware of when they are experiencing symptoms of mood states which may influence them. They need psycho education to assist them in understanding the signs and symptoms of each mood state, and how that may make them particularly vulnerable.

They Don’t Understand the Importance of Health, Sleep and Nutrition

Bipolar teenagers must learn the connection between sleeping, eating healthily, and their mood stability. In therapy I will often suggest they log their sleep so they can see directly how the lack of sleep impacts their ability to handle stress. A sleep log is also helps them to see when they are experiencing mania (little need for sleep high energy) or depression.

Family Issues

Families of bipolar teenagers often expect too much from them. Adolescent bipolar disorder disrupts emotional regulation, coping skills, and problem solving skills. Don’t compare your bipolar adolescent to other adolescents. Many of the bipolar teenagers I work with are incredibly artistic and talented and feel emotions at a depth that most of us will never understand. Click here to learn more about bipolar creativity. They may seem sophisticated because of these special traits, but still need a tremendous amount of help with their day to day existence. They require patience and tolerance and from their family. They need constant attention care and monitoring.

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Do you have a story to share about your family and child's struggle with bipolar disorder or the treatment that you have received? Please help other families who are experiencing a sense of loneliness and isolation by sharing your story.