Bipolar

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes your mood to swing from one extreme to another.

Unlike other kinds of mood swings, an episode of bipolar disorder can last for days or weeks. You may experience periods of time when you feel very happy and energised (known as mania), and then feel very low (known as depression).

If you have bipolar or care for someone with this condition, you are not alone. 1 in 100 people will be diagnosed with bipolar disorder at some stage in their life, and support is available to manage the symptoms.

Many young people worry that they may have bipolar disorder because it is talked about in the media, particularly among celebrities who share their experiences. It is important to remember that mood swings and some mental health difficulties are often a normal part of adolescence and do not lead to long-term difficulties. Help is available and very effective. If you are worried you may be experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder, talk to your family doctor (GP), school nurse or another professional who can help you find the right support you need.

During episodes of mania, common symptoms are: 

feeling irritable 
feeling very confident 
talking quickly and a lot 
racing thoughts 
being very active 
finding it hard to concentrate

During episodes of depression, common symptoms are: 

feeling low 
feeling worthless 
less energy 
difficulty sleeping
changes in appetite 
thoughts of suicide

It is likely that bipolar disorder is caused by a combination of physical, environmental and social factors, although the exact causes are unknown. Some research suggests bipolar disorder may be the result of chemical imbalances in the brain, and that it could be genetic as it seems to run in families.

A stressful situation can often trigger the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Here are examples of stressful circumstances:

The death of a loved one
A relationship breakdown
Physical, emotional or sexual abuse
Overwhelming problems at school or work
Worrying about money

If you think you, a child or young person you care for might be experiencing bipolar disorder, it is important to raise these concerns with your family doctor (GP), school health nurse, another professional or talk to a trusted person. This could be a relative, friend, teacher, or social worker.

If you think your child or young person you care for might have bipolar disorder and you want to find out more, the following resources are a good place to start:

2-minute animation on symptoms and treatment of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar UK - supporting people with bipolar and affected by bipolar, offering a range of leaflets and self-help groups around the UK.
Stories about children and young people with bipolar.
Leaflet about bipolar in children and young people.
The Mix: supporting anyone under 25 for anything that’s troubling them. They have free email support, webchat support and short-term counselling service.
Childline: supporting anyone under 19. Offers telephone support on 0800 11 11, email support and one-to-one counsellor chat.
Samaritans: telephone support on 116 123.

Most young people will bipolar disorder will be supported by CAMHS and the Early Intervention services.

Common treatments include:

working with our Early Intervention team, early treatment is very effective.
medication to prevent episodes of mania and depression. These are known as mood stabilisers.
psychological treatment, such as talking therapies, which can help you recognise the triggers and signs of an episode.
family therapy may also be helpful to reduce the risk of you getting unwell again.
lifestyle advice, including ways to improve your diet, fitness and sleeping patterns.