Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes people to experience extreme mood swings. People with bipolar disorder may have periods of mania, where they feel excessively happy or irritable, followed by periods of depression, where they feel extremely sad or hopeless. These mood swings can be so severe that they interfere with a person’s ability to function in everyday life.
If you are the parent of a child or teen with bipolar disorder, you may feel like you are at a loss. Watching your child struggle and not knowing how to help can be challenging. But you are not alone. At HillsidesCares, we offer comprehensive bipolar disorder treatment for teens. Our goal is to provide your child or adolescent with the tools they need to manage their condition and live a happy, healthy life. Call us at 323.641.4842 to learn more about our mental health treatment programs in California. We’d be happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health issue that causes drastic mood swings. As briefly mentioned, people with bipolar disorder may experience periods of depression, where they feel hopeless and sad, as well as periods of mania, where they feel super energetic and happy. These mood swings can be so extreme that they interfere with a person’s ability to work, sleep, and function in their day-to-day life.
Bipolar disorder treatment typically involves medication and therapy. Medication can help to stabilize a person’s mood, while therapy can provide them with tools to deal with the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Some signs you should look out for in your teen involving bipolar disorder include:
- Extreme changes in mood
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Shifts in eating habits
- Increased irritability or anger
- Poor concentration or focus
- Risky behavior
If you notice any of these signs in your teen, you must reach out to a mental health professional for help. Bipolar disorder is a serious condition but can be managed with proper treatment.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
There are two main types of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar I Disorder
This type of bipolar disorder is characterized by manic episodes lasting at least seven days or severe manic symptoms requiring hospitalization. People with bipolar I disorder may also experience depressive episodes, although these are not required for diagnosis. Bipolar I disorder is the most severe type of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar II Disorder
Episodes of depression and hypomanic episodes signify this form of bipolar disorder. Hypomanic episodes are similar to manic episodes but are less severe and last for a shorter period. Bipolar II disorder is not as severe as bipolar I disorder, but it can still be a debilitating condition.
Learning more about these two types of bipolar disorder can help you better understand your teen’s condition. It’s important to remember that every person experiences bipolar disorder differently, so your teen may not fit perfectly into one of these two categories.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment for Teens and Children
The most crucial thing to remember is that there is hope. With proper treatment, children and teens with bipolar disorder can lead happy and successful lives. Some treatments for bipolar disorder include:
Medication – Helps stabilize a person’s mood and make it easier for them to function in their everyday life
Therapy – Provides a client with tools to deal with the symptoms of bipolar disorder. It can also help them to identify triggers that may cause manic or depressive episodes.
Family support – Family support is essential for teens with bipolar disorder. Having a strong support system can make all the difference in a teen’s ability to manage their condition.
At HillsidesCares, we offer various treatment options for our clients suffering from bipolar disorder. We understand how difficult it can be to watch your child struggle, and we are here to help in any way we can. If you would like more information about our bipolar disorder treatment program in Los Angeles, California, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us today.
Explore Bipolar Disorder Treatment Options at HillsidesCares
When it comes to bipolar disorder treatment for teens, there are many options available. Working with a mental health professional is essential to finding a suitable teen treatment plan.
At HillsidesCares, we aim to help your teen manage their symptoms and live a happy and successful life. We offer medication management, bipolar disorder therapy, family support, and more. HillsidesCares is here to help your child or teen get the treatment they need to thrive. If you would like to learn more about our bipolar disorder treatment program in Los Angeles, California, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us today at 323.641.4842.