While the average onset of bipolar disorder is in a person’s mid-20s, it can happen earlier. In fact, often the disease has already developed, but it takes years before it is properly diagnosed. Approximately one to two percent of people aged 7 to 21 have bipolar disorder. Those aged 18 to 29 have the highest rates of developing the disease.
Of additional concern is that about half of people with a mental illness, including bipolar disorder, also develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol. This is often a result of the individual attempting to self-medicate to control or block the symptoms that come with a mental health disorder.
Signs & Symptoms
Too often, a teenager who has bipolar disorder is not aware of what’s going on, nor does their family recognize the issue. While signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder vary per person, there are several that commonly occur. These include the following:
Hyperactivity: During manic and hypomanic episodes, a person often experiences hyperactivity. This can include difficulty sleeping, high levels of energy, and being very talkative. The person often has racing thoughts, cannot focus on one thing at a time, and moves from one task to another without completing one.
Feeling Depressed: Bipolar disorder can include feelings of depression during the depressive phase of the disease. This can include feeling sad, hopeless, and losing interest in the activities the person normally enjoys. For some, this can escalate to suicidal thoughts or feelings.
Hallucinations and Psychosis: Many people with bipolar disorder experience hallucinations, including hearing and seeing things that aren’t actually happening. Hallucinations may occur as symptoms of the disease or as part of psychosis.
Impulsive Behavior: When a teenager is in a manic episode, they may be prone to impulsive behavior, including making risky choices. They find themselves locked into the desire to satisfy a need to seek out thrills and are not able to consider the dangers that may be involved.
Delusions of Grandeur: Severe episodes can include a person falsely believing they are famous or possess superpowers. This typically happens during the manic and hypomanic phases.
Is My Teen Bipolar?
The above guide to symptoms of bipolar disorder can help a parent discover if their teenager has bipolar disorder. Having a medical expert or therapist give them an evaluation can also determine what’s going on and whether they can benefit from residential bipolar treatment or not. It can make sure the teenager has not previously received the wrong diagnosis, as sometimes bipolar disorder is confused for ADHD, depression, or other mental health disorders. It’s also important that parents not mistake their child’s bipolar disorder for simply being a teenager having mood swings or being overly dramatic.