Bipolar Disorder in Teens

Tips for Parents for Managing Bipolar Disorder in Teens

Adolescence carries with it many challenges that make it an especially difficult developmental period. Teen bipolar disorder compromises the ability to face all of these stresses and challenges.

Adolescence is a time when kids:

• Assert their individuality
• Separate from their parents
• Look to their peers for more guidance than their family
• Struggle for social acceptance

Often, bipolar teens are not ready for these challenges. Bipolar disorder in teens may cause them to be dependent on their family for basic daily functioning, and although they want to separate, that dependence can make it difficult.

What can you do as a parent to better help your child with teen bipolar disorder?

Get your own Therapy and Support

Bipolar disorder in teens requires parents to have an incredible amount of patience. A bipolar teen needs parents who are skilled at:

• Modeling good problem solving skills
• Solving conflict
• Utilizing assertiveness to express thoughts and feelings

Parents need to learn these skills and therapy can help with that. Parents may need to process their feelings of grief and anger over the illness their child has. Frequently parents have a diagnosis of depression or anxiety as well, often from the stress of raising a bipolar teen.

Don't Parent your Child like a " Normal" Child

Insisting on parenting a bipolar teenager the way you would any other teenager is ineffective and can be harmful for your child. Normal parenting techniques just don't work with kids who are bipolar.

Give up on the Need to be in Control

Bipolar disorder in teens causes an every day struggle for control. Bipolar teens struggle with regulating sleep , appetite and moods. Work to give them a sense of control by teaching, accepting and creating safety and stability. Insisting a bipolar teenager does what you want when you want it doesn't work and will drive you crazy.

Don't Expect Your Child to be More Mature Than They Are

It is important to understand that there are normal developmental stages that children pass through as they grow up. Each stage is marked by the acquisition of new skills (hopefully) and a greater maturity level. If your child is bipolar it may be that their illness has disrupted this process of normal development. If your child is 15, but has been unstable in their illness for three years, they will not have the skills of a normal 15 year old. It may take them three years to catch up. Be reasonable about your expectations.

Ration out your Energy

Bipolar disorder in teens is a serious illness. It is true that your child can be fine and go on to live a productive and stable life, if they get the right help and stay on the right path. Don't waste your time worrying and arguing with your child about unimportant things.

You want your child to be a productive adult who can have a job, friends a family and happiness. All teenagers want to express themselves. If your bipolar teenager gets a nose ring or a tattoo, it's not the end of the world. If they attempt suicide, it's much more serious.

Create Opportunities for you Child to Express Him or Herself

A bipolar teen often has an incredible amount of feelings and thoughts that they are struggling to make sense of. Create opportunities for them to express themselves, especially if they are writers or artists. Build on any strengths or interests they have, the more successes they have the more likely they are to be functional adults.

Don't Hold Grudges

If you and your bipolar teen get into an argument, do not give them the silent treatment afterwards. They need help learning how to problem-solve and resolve conflict. When things are calm, discuss what happened and how you can move on from a serious incident

Take any Signs of Depression or Suicidal Comments Seriously

Bipolar disorder in teens puts them at risk for suicide. This constantly needs to be monitored. Parents must communicate with their child's therapist and psychiatrist about any signs of depression or concerns they have about their child.

Be Serious about Substance Abuse

Teen bipolar disorder is a serious risk factor for drug use. Many adults with bipolar disorder have substance abuse problems.

Teach your Child about their Feelings

During healthy and normal development kids learn emotional regulation. They learn how to identify and tolerate painful emotions and they learn how to cope with them. Bipolar teens are often overwhelmed by the intensity of their emotions and are at a complete disadvantage to handle them. Parents must create a dialog with their child about what is happening with their emotions. Depending on the severity, duration and age of onset, a 15 year old may need to be treated like a three-year-old. A parent needs to teach them about what they are feeling because they don't know. Parents often must read cues about how their child is feeling until they can do it themselves. Bipolar teens may not have the infrastructure necessary to regulate their emotions and so parents must create it for them with a lot of patience and repetition.

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I have a 15 year old son who has been struggling with bi-polar for the past 4 years. We've been through therapists because Bryan has built a wall around ...