Bipolar Disorder & Extreme Moods / Question
Published: December 7, 1999
Dear TeenHealthFX,
What does Bipolar disorder mean?
Signed: Info. On Bipolar Disorder
Dear Info. On Bipolar Disorder,
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depression is a mental illness affecting approximately 2 million Americans. A person with bipolar disorder usually goes through severe mood swings that are much more severe than the average mood swings which most people experience.
Bipolar disorder patients experience episodes where they suffer from mania (extreme highs) and depression (extreme lows). Symptoms of mania include racing thoughts, extreme irritability, inability to concentrate, and a significant increase in energy and sleeplessness. A person suffering from mania will often do things like gambling, going on spending sprees, and charging up their credit cards. Symptoms of depression include extreme sadness, lack of energy and interest in usual activities, decreased or increased appetite, difficulty with sleep (sometimes too much or not enough) and a lack of concentration.
In the beginning, the problem may be masked by another area of concern such as alcoholism, substance abuse, poor grades and poor school performance. Sometimes stress can trigger an episode, but sometimes there are no identifiable reasons for a bipolar episode. This disease often makes life very difficult and unbearable for the patient. Without help from a counselor or psychiatrist, the person suffering from bipolar disorder can have worsened symptoms and lose the ability to function in every day life.
Both biological and environmental, manic-depression usually begins in the teenage years and continues throughout life. Although this illness can make a person's life very unhappy, research shows that most people can be treated with a combination of medications and therapy. It is important for the person with bipolar disorder to get professional help from a psychiatrist and counselor. This is not an illness that can be self-treated without professional assistance.
If you or anyone you know has feelings of mania or depression, is in danger of hurting yourself or others, and/or feels like life is too much of a struggle and are having difficulty coping, please seek immediate assistance. If you live in Northern New Jersey, call the 24-hour CRISIS HOTLINE at (973) 540.0100. If you live outside Northern New Jersey, call the National Hope Line at (800) SUICIDE.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Teens whose parents talk to them regularly about the dangers of drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those whose parents don’t, yet only 1 in 4 teens report having these conversations. 
