Untreated bipolar disorder can quickly lead to escalating symptoms and challenges in your teenage boy’s life. While bipolar disorder can develop at any time, it most often appears during adolescence, making bipolar disorder treatment for teens a common way of treating this mental health challenge as soon as possible.
Starting bipolar disorder treatment for teens at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery® can help your teenage boy get the help they need when they need it. Call our mental health experts today by calling 828.519.5047, and help your teen start the path to mental health recovery.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a relatively common mental health challenge, with several effective treatment options available. But when the signs of mental distress first begin to appear, it can often be difficult to differentiate bipolar disorder from other mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.
The defining characteristics of bipolar disorder are depressive episodes and manic episodes. Depressive episodes share the same signs as a major depressive disorder and could include symptoms such as:
- Chronic fatigue
- Trouble focusing
- Oversleeping or not sleeping enough
- Feelings of dread or hopelessness
- Suicidal thoughts
These symptoms can appear for at least two weeks and sometimes much longer.
However, depressive episodes alone aren’t enough to distinguish bipolar disorder. A person must also show signs of mania or hypomania lasting at least a week. Mania and hypomania refer to a period of elevated mood, which could include symptoms such as:
- Feeling energized
- Sleeping less
- Having flights of ideas
- Increased talkativeness
- High distractibility
Hypomania is essentially a milder form of mania, meaning it shares the same signs and symptoms but to a lesser degree. If a person is showing signs of mania, they may be diagnosed with bipolar I disorder, whereas if a person is showing signs of hypomania, they may be diagnosed with bipolar II disorder.
Untreated Bipolar Disorder in Teenage Boys
Since the signs of bipolar disorder typically begin to appear in adolescence, untreated bipolar disorder in teenage boys is common. This can have a number of harmful effects on a teenager’s mental health and well-being and may lead to serious consequences if left unaddressed.
Untreated Manic Episode
An untreated manic episode can be a frightening experience for teenagers and their parents alike. During manic episodes, teenage boys can become excessively impulsive, take dangerous risks, or engage in substance use.
Sometimes, manic episodes can require hospitalization, as teenage boys can put themselves or people close to them in danger.
Untreated Depressive Episode
Unmedicated bipolar disorder will also result in a depressive episode. This can leave your teen feeling worn down, exhausted, and hopeless. They may lose the motivation to go to school, spend time with friends, or even get out of bed.
While the nature of bipolar disorder means these depressive episodes will end, they can be debilitating and hold your teen back from achieving their goals during adolescence.
How Treating Bipolar Disorder Can Help
The symptoms of unmedicated bipolar disorder can lead to all sorts of functional and social impairment, but thankfully, there is an abundance of evidence-based treatment methods for teens.
Bipolar disorder treatment typically uses two main approaches. First, medications can help stabilize your teenager’s mood, keeping them from experiencing the sudden highs and lows of bipolar disorder. Second, targeted therapy techniques can help your teenager manage symptoms should they occur, preventing severe consequences.
Begin Bipolar Disorder Treatment at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery® Today
If your teenage boy is starting to show the signs of bipolar disorder, seeking out teen-specific treatment can save them from several of the uncomfortable side effects of this condition.
Call Foothills at Red Oak Recovery® at 828.519.5047 or use our online contact form to contact one of our mental health experts and start your family’s path to recovery today.
