What types of treatments are available for children and teens with bipolar disorder?
Treatments for children and teens may involve a combination of medication and psychotherapy. There is no single cure for bipolar disorder and each individual’s response may be different. For this reason, it is critical to work closely with your child’s health professional to share observations and monitor progress to evaluate response to intervention. Before starting medication, the doctor will want to determine your child’s physical and mental health. Your child will need regular follow-up visits to monitor treatment progress and side effects. Depending on your child’s specific symptoms, a variety of medications or combinations thereof may be chosen for treatment. It is therefore very helpful for parents, along with teachers to keep a log of the child’s most troublesome behaviors. Medications referred to as mood stabilizers have been used to treat bipolar disorder in children and teens. For example, Lithium is a type of medicine that is a mood stabilizer that may be used to treat chil
