Welcome to Massachusetts Center for Adolescent Wellness; we’re here to guide you and your loved ones through understanding and treating bipolar disorder. Our teen bipolar disorder treatment program is dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to adolescents struggling with bipolar disorder.
We recognize the unique challenges that bipolar disorder presents in the lives of teenagers. Our adolescent bipolar disorder treatment program in Massachusetts offers an integrative approach designed to equip teens with the tools they need to navigate their emotions and lead a healthy, balanced life. Your journey to wellness starts here. If you need mental health treatment for adolescents, contact us at 855.940.6229.
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What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, formerly referred to as manic-depressive illness, is a condition that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. This condition is characterized by emotional states that swing from overly high and euphoric (manic episodes) to extremely low and depressive, or even a mixed state, which includes symptoms of both mania and depression.
Sleep patterns, cognitive function, and behavior disturbances often accompany these mood episodes. It’s important to realize that bipolar disorder is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness. It’s a severe mental health condition that requires appropriate treatment and support.
Manic and Hypomanic Episodes
Manic and hypomanic episodes are distinct periods of abnormal, persistently elevated mood and increased activity or energy levels, lasting at least a week for manic episodes and at least four days for hypomanic episodes. Common symptoms may include:
- An inflated sense of self-importance
- Decreased need for sleep
- Increased talkativeness
- Racing thoughts
- Distractibility
- An increase in goal-directed activity
- Reckless behavior, such as excessive spending or risky sexual activities
Please remember that these symptoms significantly differ from a person’s normal behavior. It’s crucial to seek professional help if you or a loved one are experiencing these symptoms.
Depressive Episodes
Depressive episodes, a distressing part of bipolar disorder, are periods marked by intense sadness, despair, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. During such episodes, you or your loved one may also experience:
- Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
- Extreme fatigue or loss of energy
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Changes in appetite or unexpected weight changes
- Physical symptoms, like headaches or stomachaches
- Thoughts of hurting themself or suicide
It is important to remember that these symptoms can be overwhelming and significantly interfere with everyday life.
Mixed Episodes
Mixed episodes, also known as mixed states, are periods where symptoms of mania and depression occur simultaneously. This state can create intense emotional distress and confusion, as individuals may feel incredibly energized yet also feel deeply sad, hopeless, or even suicidal. These states can be especially dangerous and require proper medical intervention.
Euthymia
Euthymia refers to a state of psychological well-being and stability. It is often used to describe periods when individuals with bipolar disorder are free from the mood swings associated with manic or depressive episodes, experiencing a balanced, “normal” mood.
Types of Bipolar Disorders
Bipolar I disorder is characterized by at least one manic or mixed episode, which may be preceded or followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes.
Bipolar II disorder is characterized by one or more depressive episodes accompanied by at least one hypomanic episode but does not experience full-blown manic or mixed episodes.
Cyclothymia, a milder form of bipolar disorder, involves numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms, with less severe and shorter-lasting episodes than in bipolar I or II.
Adolescent Bipolar Disorder Treatment
Massachusetts Center for Adolescent Wellness provides personalized, evidence-based adolescent bipolar disorder treatment programs focusing on holistic healing and empowering teens to thrive.
Medication Treatment
Medication treatment forms a critical component of our adolescent bipolar disorder treatment program. Our experienced clinicians assess each teen’s unique needs to determine the most suitable medication regimen, including mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, or antidepressants, as appropriate.
Therapy
Therapy is a core aspect of our adolescent bipolar disorder treatment program. It can provide adolescents with the coping strategies and tools to manage their symptoms and lead a fulfilling life.
Lifestyle Changes
Our program encourages teens to adopt healthy habits, such as regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and mindfulness practices, which can augment the effectiveness of medication and therapy.
Call Massachusetts Center for Adolescent Wellness for Bipolar Disorder Treatment Today
To start your journey towards wellness, enroll your teen in our adolescent bipolar disorder treatment program at Massachusetts Center for Adolescent Wellness today.
Call us at 855.940.6229 or reach out online today for more information.
