Question

1What is the difference between bipolar disorder in adolescence and normal teenage “moodiness?” Discuss some of the challenges for teens, families, and school in distinguishing between the two.

2How, if at all, do you think Dustin’s early home life affected his disorder? Is there something that his parents could have done differently to change some of his symptoms?

Answer 1

1. Bipolar disorder is characterized with mood swings ranging from depressive moods to manic episodes. However, The Diagnostic Statistical Manual for mental disorders (DSM) identifies it to be a bipolar disorder, if only each episode individually lasts over weeks or months. Normal moodiness is characterized by mood swings which refers to being at different ends of the continuum in a short span. Bipolar episode must last for a period of time for it to be diagnosed. Moodiness on the other hand last only for a short duration. Moodiness in adolescence is very common due to hormonal changes in one's body. Chemical imbalances during puberty can make one a emotional wreck. However, it does not last for a long.

Most peers, parents and teachers tend to mistake normal moodiness as bipolar or vice versa. It is important to monitor the child's behaviour and if either the manic episode or the depressive one lasts for a longer period of time, then it is certainly the time to see a therapist for appropriate diagnosis. Bipolar disorder and normal moodiness is often interchanged.