How Do You Find Counseling For Teens With Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness often appearing in children and adolescents and characterized by extreme shifts in mood between mania and depression. Diagnosing bipolar disorder is a complex process involving professionals such as psychiatrists and psychologists. An adolescent diagnosed with bipolar disorder will probably be treated with medication–possibly a mood stabilizer, an antipsychotic or a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)–as well as psychotherapy. Observe your child’s behavior. If his mood alternates frequently between extremes of depression and elation or irritability, or if one of these types of moods persists, he may be suffering from bipolar disorder. Talk to your child’s pediatrician about your concerns regarding your child’s moods. Ask for a recommendation for a psychiatrist or psychologist who is experienced in treating bipolar disorder and who can evaluate your child for this condition. Interview potential therapists or psychiatrists over the phone b
