Could your teen’s mood swings be bipolar disorder?

Being the parent of a teen can be an incredibly rewarding experience. You get to witness your child experimenting with who they are and who they hope to be as they move toward young adulthood. But of course, this important developmental stage can be a time of many ups and downs. As teens’ minds and bodies develop, they face many changes. They may try out different friend groups, explore new hobbies and interests, and test limits as they begin to separate from their parents. 

At the same time, teens’ minds and bodies are undergoing hormonal shifts that can impact their emotions. If you have a teen who experiences severe, frequent mood changes, it can be difficult to tell if they’re showing typical teenage behavior or something more concerning. 

Like adults, teens can be diagnosed with mood disorders like bipolar disorder. Research shows that approximately 2.9% of U.S. teens live with the condition. If you’re concerned about a teen in your life, learning more about the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder can help ensure they get the support they need.

Signs of bipolar disorder in adolescents and young adults

Bipolar disorder is usually diagnosed sometime in a person’s mid-20s. But some young people may begin showing signs and symptoms well before that time. The main feature of bipolar disorder is extreme shifts in mood. 

People with bipolar disorder experience periods of energetic, euphoric mood, called mania or a manic episode. These are accompanied by alternating periods of low mood and fatigue called depressive episodes. The amount of time someone spends in one type of mood and how quickly their moods shift depends on the type of bipolar disorder they’re living with. 

Some of the signs of bipolar disorder in teens include:

Manic symptoms

• Being suddenly extremely giddy, happy, or energetic
• Feeling intense irritability or getting angry quickly
• Talking or moving more rapidly than usual
• Having racing thoughts
• Doing reckless or dangerous things
• Having an overinflated ego or a sense of invincibility

Depressive symptoms

• Feeling sad, hopeless, or worthless
• Withdrawing from friends and loved ones
• No longer being interested in activities they used to enjoy
• Experiencing chronic fatigue, despite sleeping a lot

It can be difficult for parents to tell whether their teen is showing typical behavior or if their mood changes are cause for concern. If a teen in your life is showing any of these signs and it’s affecting their academic performance, relationships, or daily life in any way, don’t hesitate to seek help. A therapist who specializes in supporting young people with mood disorders can provide a diagnosis to ensure that your teen gets the right treatment for their needs. 

What causes bipolar disorder in teens? 

We don’t fully understand what causes bipolar disorder. But there’s some evidence to suggest that the following factors may increase a teen’s risk:

• Genetics: Having a first-degree relative, like a sibling or parent, who also has bipolar disorder
• Environment: Experiencing traumatic events (like an unexpected loss) or ongoing stressors (like abuse or neglect) 
• Biology: Having imbalances in the brain chemicals that regulate emotion (specifically serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine)

Treatment options

There are several effective bipolar treatment options for teens that can help stabilize their mood and improve their functioning. The go-to treatment for bipolar disorder for both young people and adults is medication. But just like adults, teens can react differently to different medications. So it may take some time to find the right medication and dose. 

Also, keep in mind that some medications can’t be taken together because of harmful interactions. So be sure to keep your teen’s provider informed about any medications they’re taking or any changes in their symptoms.

Therapy is another option that can support teens with bipolar disorder. When combined with medication, the following types of therapy have been proven to help teens with bipolar disorder stay healthy over the long term:

• Family-focused therapy (FFT): FFT brings the family unit together to improve communication and problem solving, monitor symptoms, and repair connections. This form of therapy can help reduce the family stress that can sometimes lead to manic or depressive episodes. 
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT can help teens identify and interrupt the unhelpful thought patterns that may increase their bipolar disorder symptoms. CBT can also help teens confront their fears and learn new strategies to manage stress.
• Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT): IPSRT can help teens create stabilizing daily “rhythms” or routines. These routines can help teens take their medication consistently, maintain healthy social connections, and feel more prepared to navigate stressful life events.

Support for teens and families

If you have a child with bipolar disorder, it’s important to remember that you might need some extra support sometimes. You can connect with other parents who understand what you’re going through via organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI runs support groups for families whose lives have been touched by a variety of mental health conditions. You can also find resources for those affected by bipolar disorder specifically through multiple online forums to meet your specific needs.

Find care with Rula

As your child moves into this new stage of life, it can be hard to tell what counts as typical teenage moodiness or something more serious. Rest assured that if your teen’s mood is negatively impacting their life, help is available. A mental health professional can screen your child for bipolar disorder and similar conditions and work with you to ensure that they get the support they need to thrive. 

Rula makes it easy to connect with a mental health provider who meets your unique needs, takes your insurance, and can see you as soon as tomorrow. Plus, you can meet with either a therapist or a psychiatric provider from the comfort of your home.

Get started with Rula today