Adolescent Bipolar Disorder behaviour
It is not unusual for the behavioural symptoms of bipolar disorder to overlap with those of other disorders like ADHD and therefore diagnosis of child bi polar is not straight forward. Determining if your teen is suffering from adolescent bipolar disorder requires testing by qualified mental health professionals. It is important to rule out the presence of coexisting disorders or other underlying contributory factors that may be exacerbating the symptoms of bipolar disorder in teenagers eg substance abuse
When are behaviour patterns just normal for teenagers and when do we need to be concerned? Wearing dark clothing is not unusual especially in a bid to look slimmer. Loud music goes with the territory and isolating themselves in their rooms is not too surprising if parents don’t share the same taste in music or appreciate the volume at which most teens feel the need to hear their music. Rebellion against parental control is part of growing up
Lying in bed as long as possible is fun providing that getting up presents no challenge. Repetitive inability to rise on time, or to get up at all and then spending the day in a totally irritable mood could indicate depression or adolescent bipolar disorder.
Some kids are naturally averse to parting with their money, others like buying cool stuff but as long as they keep within their means that’s fine. The problem arises when the spending sprees are uncontrolled, indiscriminate manic in nature and all on credit with no thought of how payment obligations can possibly be met. This could be indicative of the teen having delusions (of grandeur) etc symptomatic of depression and bipolar children.
Often this inappropriate, excessive, compulsive behaviour pattern is also evident in other areas eg the approach to alcohol, drugs, sexual behaviour, etc. Social isolation could also indicate deeper problems like adolescent bipolar disorder. It’s not unusual to want quiet time, alone from time to time, however it is odd to spend most spare time behind closed doors in solitary confinement with no desire or motivation to meet with others, go to movies, parties etc
If your teen writes a ‘worst mom in the world’ note in response to an incident perceived as unfair parental intervention in their lives, whilst it’s not desirable, it’s not that unusual either. When the note becomes a vitriolic tirade of hate against a parent, out of all proportions to the trigger its time to get help as this could indicate adolescent bipolar disorder .
If the demeanour of the individual indicates hopelessness take action and get help. Any talk of self harm, any mention of suicide must not be glossed over. Rather err on the side of caution – it’s a far better outcome than possibly adding to the teen suicide statistics.
Persistent inflexible defiant behaviour against parents, teachers, peers etc is also amongst the bipolar teen symptoms. Whilst the average child accepts that actions have consequences, and if they choose to overstep the boundaries will take responsibility and accept punishment, those with adolescent manic depression or adolescent bipolar disorder often do not have that insight and constantly re-offend.
Is your teen just strong willed and out of control? It might be worth a small investment in a non-traditional parenting program. If you still cannot regain control it's time to look to professional medical advice for help
Most parents are pretty much in tune with their kid’s behaviour and how it differs from that of other adolescents of similar age. Teenagers might test boundaries from time to time but for the most part will listen to reason, and spend most of their time in a good mood or there are very specific identifiable reasons why they may be upset.