Manic-depressive Illness in Teens

Teenagers with manic-depressive illness have an ongoing combination of extremely high (manic) and low (depressed) moods. Highs may alternate with lows, or the person may feel both extremes at close to the same time. Professionals also refer to manic-depressive illness as bipolar mood disorder.

Manic-depressive illness usually starts in adult life, before the age of 35. Although uncommon in young children, it does occur in teenagers. This illness can affect anyone. However, if one or both parents have manic-depressive illness, the chances are greater that their children will develop the disorder.

Manic-depressive illness may begin either with manic or depressive symptoms. The manic symptoms include:

• severe changes in mood compared to others of the same age and background - either unusually happy or silly, or very irritable;
• unrealistic highs in self-esteem - for example, a teenager who feels specially connected to God;
• great energy increase and the ability to go with little or no sleep for days without feeling tired;
• increased talking - the adolescent talks too much, too fast, changes topics too quickly, and cannot be interrupted;
• distractibility - the teen's attention moves constantly from one thing to the next;
• high risk-taking behavior, such as jumping off a roof with the belief that this will not cause injury.

The depressive symptoms include:

• persistent sadness, frequent crying, depression;
• loss of enjoyment in favorite activities;
• frequent complaints of physical illnesses such as headaches or stomach aches;
• low energy level, poor concentration, complaints of boredom; and
• major change in eating or sleeping patterns, such as oversleeping or overeating.

Some of these signs are similar to those that occur in teenagers with other problems such as drug abuse, delinquency, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or even schizophrenia. The diagnosis can only be made with careful observation over an extended period of time. A thorough evaluation by a child and adolescent psychiatrist can be helpful in identifying the problems, manic-depressive or other, and starting specific treatment.

Teenagers with manic-depressive illness can be effectively treated. Effective treatment for manic-depressive illness usually includes education of the patient and the family about the illness, mood stabilizing medication such as lithium, and psychotherapy. Lithium often reduces the number and severity of manic episodes, and also helps to prevent depression. Psychotherapy helps the teenager understand himself or herself, adapt to stresses, rebuild self-esteem, and improve relationships.

Facts for Families is developed and distributed by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.