Parenting a Bipolar Teenager: What Parents Should Know About Bipolar Depression – Disorder

Is Bipolar Depression in Teen Girls Different Than Bipolar Depression in Teen Boys?

 

Adolescent girls are at a much higher risk for having bipolar depression than adolescent boys. Gender-specific effects on brain areas involved in depression have been found in neuroimaging research studies, with teen girls experiencing greater imbalances of neurotransmitters than teen boys. Reasons for higher incidences of depression in teen girls than teen boys involve hormones, body image stress and genetics.

How to deal with bipolar daughter?

During an episode of bipolar depression, teenage girls are more likely to:

• Isolate themselves from friends and family
• Sleep excessively
• Complain about physical issues
• Avoid eating meals
• Cry easily
• Attempt suicide by overdosing on OTC medication or their parent’s prescriptions

 

How to deal with bipolar son?

Bipolar depression symptoms in teen boys tend to be more gender-specific. They involve:

• Engaging in risky behaviors (driving too fast, drinking alcohol × Alcohol
  al·co·hol n.noun a colorless volatile flammable liquid that is the intoxicating constituent of wine, beer, spirits, and other drinks, and is also used as an industrial solvent and as fuel. When ingested, alcohol can be a deadly intoxicant. Teens and adults alike are more prone to make fateful and negative choices while drinking alcohol. A deadly intoxicant, alcohol has destroyed and ripped apart the lives of millions and yet, remains to be the drug of choice of troubled teens nationwide. Teenage minds are not yet able to fully appreciate the dangers that coincide with drinking. When drunk, teenagers commit and act out heinous activities which they would normally never commit or act out. Teenage pregnancy, driving under the influence, fighting and other consequences are more likely to occur while teens drink. Parents of teenage boys or girls who drink occasionally or struggle with the addiction of alcohol, need to seek immediate treatment for their son or daughter.
  , abusing drugs, hanging out with "questionable" people, refusing to obey curfew)
• Acting more hostile towards family members
• Uncharacteristic aggressive behavior (throwing items when angry, slamming doors, threatening siblings or parents with physical harm)
• Eating too much or too little
• Being secretive about what they are doing outside the home
• Verbalizing suicide threats

 

Sometimes, bipolar depression in teen boys may be misdiagnosed as oppositional defiant disorder since symptoms appear more hostile than depressed. Parents should keep a detailed record of their child’s mood swings if they suspect bipolar II disorder to determine if signs of mild to moderate mania emerges between depressed episodes.

 

Bipolar Depression Treatment for Older Children and Teenagers

Adolescents with major depressive disorder are typically given a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) to stabilize serotonin levels in the brain. However, giving SSRIs to teens with this disorder may cause manic episodes to worsen. Several FDA-approved medications that do not carry that risk are now available to treat bipolar depression in children between the ages of 10 and 17. Medications such as Lurasidone, Olanzapine, lithium and Lamotrigine have been shown to reduce symptoms of bipolar depression while causing only mild, temporary side effects like nausea, headache and fatigue.

Lurasidone is one of the more effective pharmacological treatments for bipolar depression in teens. In addition to raising serotonin levels, it moderates dopamine release in the brain. A neurotransmitter implicated in schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses, dopamine is responsible for motivation and reward-seeking behavior. Since severely depressed individuals show significantly reduced motivation × Motivation
/mo·ti·va·tion/ n.Noun Motivation is defined as the reason or reasons that initiates and guides someone to act, behave or strive to do something that in a particular way. Motivation can come from anywhere and usually consists of being something inspirational and often time’s goal oriented. In everyday living motivation is described as the reason someone does something.  It is what guides and leads us through our lives.  It determines why we act and behave towards activities. If we can find the right motivation in a way we have the ability to do whatever it is the motivation is directed towards. Motivation is determined by both internal and external factors that stimulate a certain desire and energy in a person. Motivation comes from: the intensity of a need or desire, the reward or incentive of an action, and also can come from the expectations a person has on their self or from those that surround them.
, Lurasidone works to ensure a balance exists between dopamine and serotonin.

Cognitive behavioral therapy × Therapy
n.noun ther·a·py Therapy is a treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder or disease. Therapy generally consists of two kinds: medical and psychotherapy. Medical therapies treat diseases of the human body such as cancer. Psychotherapies treat the mind of therapeutically or emotionally damaged individuals. Different Types of Psychotherapy: – Psychoanalytic Therapy – Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy – Group Therapy – Behavior modification – Biofeedback – Collaborative therapy – Family therapy – Marriage counseling – Music therapy – Parent management training – Relationship counseling – Social Therapy – Systemic therapy – Therapeutic community – Twelve-step programs – Wilderness therapy Therapy for troubled teens has become an increasingly popular opportunity for troubled adolescents today. Therapies are offered at many services for troubled teens such as, wilderness therapy programs, residential treatment programs and boarding schools for troubled youth. The most effective type of therapy greatly depends on the individual teen and what psychological and emotional issues the particular adolescent struggles with.
and stress management counseling × Counseling
coun·sel·ing The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines counseling as the provision of assistance and guidance in resolving personal, social, or psychological problems and difficulties, especially by a professional. Counseling can come in many different forms. These forms include, but are not limited to, child development, eating disorder, substance abuse, rehabilitation, mental health and educational counseling. The type of counseling needed for an individual depends on the type of issues or problems he/she happens to be facing. Counseling Troubled Youth Counseling offers hope to all kinds of troubled youth. Teens who struggle with personality disorders, emotional trauma, psychological disorders and/or learning disabilities, are all great candidates for counseling. These types of teens are often times, in desperate need for some type of counseling, and if some form of counseling is not achieved, are at high risk of fateful, dire consequences. These consequences may include drug addiction, imprisonment, or in some cases, even death.
should also be part of a treatment program for teens with bipolar depression. While CBT helps them understand how their thoughts shape their emotions and behaviors, counseling educates them in how to cope with daily anxiety × Anxiety
  anx·i·ety n.noun Merriam- Webster dictionary defines anxiety as: : an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one’s capacity to cope with it Anxiety is a very common ailment that almost everyone experiences on an almost daily basis. However, anxiety effects some more than others and can cause severe emotional distress that is too much for an individual to handle. When anxiety plagues an individual so severely that it becomes a disorder, it is crucial that this individual receives therapeutic and emotional restoration in the form of psychological and therapeutic assistance. Teens who experience abnormal amounts of anxiety, tend to self medicate with intoxicants such as drugs and alcohol. When negative, self medication takes place, teens are at great risk of developing harmful coping mechanisms that may be life-long lasting. Anxiety /anx.i.e.ty/ n.Noun Anxiety is defined as the state of uneasiness or tension caused by the feeling of worry or nervousness caused by apprehension of possibilities of the future. Anxiety is a common emotional trait that many people face.  It affects our actions and can prevent us from making decisions.  Usually anxiety holds us back from the types of things that are outgoing or out of our comfort zone and it brings fear. Anxiety is a normal experience for most people and is a normal part of life.  However, when the anxiety reaches the level of a disorder then it can be dangerous.  This would include an intense, extensive, excessive and persistent worry or fear.  Another factor that is caused by an anxiety disorder can be anxiety, fear, or terror attacks when the intensity of anxiety becomes very high.  Types of anxiety disorders can include: social anxiety, separation anxiety and many different phobias etc.  
using a variety of stress management techniques.

Advice for Parenting a Teenager with Bipolar Depression–What the Experts Say

Ensuring your teen is taking their medication properly and attending all scheduled therapy sessions are the top two things a parent can do to help their child cope with bipolar depression. Psychologists also want parents to pay close attention to how they communicate with their teenager, especially when they are feeling especially frustrated and discouraged. Phrases parents should never say to a bipolar teen include:

• Why can’t you be like your brother or sister?
• Would you stop being lazy and get out of bed?
• You have nothing to be unhappy about. You’ve got food to eat and a roof over your head.
• If you don’t straighten up, we’re going to send you to boot camp!

 

Of course, no parent would deliberately say these things to their child who has this but in the heat of combative moments, it’s difficult to stop overwhelming emotions from taking over your rational side. If you sense your impatience rising, stop and take a deep breath. Leave the room if necessary and restart the conversation after you and your teen have calmed down.

Teens with bipolar depression cannot control what they think, how they feel and why they can’t just "shake" their depression. Mental illnesses are medical diseases just like diabetes and high blood pressure are medical diseases. Bipolar disorder is a medical disease because symptoms emerge from a physical illness affecting the brain.  

Chemical imbalances, structural abnormalities and dysfunction of cell signaling are physical in nature. When medications and CBT are used to treat this physical illness, symptoms can be managed and dealt with successfully. Much like people with diabetes have to take insulin to control blood sugar, your teen will need to take medications probably for the rest of their life to prevent bipolar depression and mania.

Other ways to help your teen cope with bipolar depression include keeping stress in the household at a minimum, establishing a daily routine for your child and respecting your child’s "space". Just because your teen chooses to remain in their room for several hours doesn’t necessarily mean they are having a depressive episode. Keep track of your teen’s moods and review them after several weeks. Don’t hesitate to call their doctor if you suspect their medication may need adjusted or counseling sessions may not be addressing your child’s needs.