There are many different aspects of a teenager’s day-to-day life that can result in mood changes. They could become sad because of a poor test score, angry for being grounded and happy when they spend a fun weekend with their friends. While it’s not always easy to get your teen to open up about their emotions, there are signs to look for that may point to a mood disorder, like bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder in teens goes beyond mood changes from school stress or puberty hormones. However, they may not always recognize them on their own. It’s important to know about the potential signs of bipolar disorder in teens to make sure they receive the support and resources for an improved overall quality of life.

In this blog post, we’ll talk about the signs of bipolar disorder in teens that you should be aware of. We’ll also discuss the next steps to take if you recognize those signs in your teen.

What bipolar disorder in teens looks like

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by periods of change in a person’s emotions and energy levels. They can experience episodes of manic highs, which are characterized by excessive energy and heightened emotions. Those are followed by depressive lows, causing overwhelming sadness and fatigue. 

Bipolar disorder can cause emotional, psychological and behavioral patterns that impact a teen’s quality of life. For example, they may experience hyperactivity during a manic high episode that impacts their ability to focus in class. They may withdraw from their friends during a depressive episode, straining their personal relationships.

Bipolar disorder symptoms in a teenager can manifest differently than they do in adults, especially in terms of the speed of emotional changes. They may experience a range of extreme emotions and behaviors in a short period of time, even in one day. While this could be mistaken for rapid cycling bipolar disorder, true rapid cycling is less common and has specific clinical criteria that differ from what is screened for bipolar disorder.

Here are signs of manic bipolar disorder episodes that you may recognize in your teenager:

• Intense happiness or giddiness
• Extreme irritability
• Talking excessively or rapidly
• Uncharacteristically risky behavior, such as reckless driving
• Heightened sense of self, such as egotistical or overconfident behavior

Here are signs of depressive bipolar disorder episodes to be aware of in your teenager:

• Extreme sadness
• Withdrawing or isolating from friends and family
• Changes in appetite
• Oversleeping or extreme sluggishness
• Lack of interest in activities they usually enjoy, such as hobbies or sports

What to do if you recognize signs of bipolar disorder in your teen

While teens’ moods and behaviors are impacted by hormonal changes, overwhelming stress and self-discovery, it’s important to take note of significant changes or challenges they’re experiencing. Brushing them off can lead to your teen experiencing further struggles with their mental, emotional and behavioral health that can impact them in the future.

While you may be able to pick up on signs of bipolar disorder in your teen, it’s always important to speak to a health care professional for a proper diagnosis. Misdiagnosis for bipolar disorder is not uncommon, especially in teenagers. For example, the excessive energy from mania can be mixed up with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which often has a young onset age. However, mood episodes linked to bipolar disorder last for specific durations, while ADHD features more pervasive and chronic symptoms. On the other hand, depressive bipolar episodes may be misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder.

When you see signs of your teen having mental distress or displaying out-of-character behavior, it’s time to book an appointment with your family physician. It’s possible that they’ll refer your teen to a psychiatrist or psychologist. It’s important that bipolar disorder is urgently treated due to the high risk of adverse outcomes, including the risk of suicide.

If your teen is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, effective treatment can help them manage their symptoms and reduce the disorder’s negative impact on their day-to-day life. Treatment for bipolar disorder in teens often includes medication, such as a mood stabilizer. They may also benefit from psychotherapy to learn coping mechanisms and emotional regulation skills.

Lightfully Teen can help if your teen is showing signs of bipolar disorder

It can be concerning when you recognize potential signs of bipolar disorder in your teenager, but that’s also a key first step in helping them start their mental health journey. Try to have an open and honest conversation about your observations, without making them feel attacked or like they’ve done something wrong. Let them know that you’re there to support them in any way they need, including finding help from a professional.

At Lightfully Teen, our levels of care can help address and alleviate symptoms of bipolar disorder in your teen. Our framework consists of evidence-based, clearly defined, data-driven and whole-person-centered care. Through personalized treatment, your teen can gain a deeper understanding of their disorder and the tools they need to manage it.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step to treating your teen’s signs of bipolar disorder, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of them.