July 25, 2005
Adolescents & Bipolar Disorder
MENTAL HEALTH; U of Pennsylvania researcher finds teen mental health declining in U.S.
A new article discusses the rising number of adolescents suffering from brain or mood disorders. Unfortunately, the article states that despite this rise in incidence, "getting...teens diagnosed and cared for is a challenge that is not being met...." A new book mentioned in the article discusses this issue. The book titled, "Treating and Preventing Adolescent Mental Health Disorders: What We Know and What We Don't Know - A Research Agenda for Improving the Mental Health of Our Youth," addresses the issue by "(detailing findings) in which 150 mental health specialists analyze recent research on teen mental health problems."
The researchers mentioned in the book claim that 1 in 5 adolescents may suffer from a brain or mood disorder. Despite this large number, there seems to be a major deficiency in the treatments available for adolescents. The article posits that treating adolescent brain or mood disorders "...is not a priority on the nation's public health agenda..." This and other contributing factors such as "limited knowledge" on how to treat adolescents results in the misdiagonsis and undiagnosis of suffering adolescents.
To aid this situation, "experts' recommendations" include:
...school-based services for the assessment, treatment, and prevention of adolescent mental health problems must be improved. Primary care physicians must improve their ability to recognize and diagnose mental health disorders, and refer teens to specialists for further help, and the healthcare system should allow treatment of different disorders by different practitioners.
More on Childhood & Adolescent Bipolar Disorder
Title: "MENTAL HEALTH; U of Pennsylvania researcher finds teen mental health declining in U.S."
Source: http://www.newsrx.com/
Date: July 25, 2005
Posted by at July 25, 2005 10:17 AM
More Information on
Childhood Bipolar Disorder
Comments
My husband has had bipolar for some time but he went untreated due to my not understanding the disease and his assurance that he was ok. He has now been treated for the last 5 years with good outcome except he tends to get depressed easy. This past December my 16 year old daughter was diagnosed. She was started on Lamictal 50mg and has recently had Abilfy 15 mg added to her daily dose. It's hard for me to know what to do for and with them. Her counselor advises keeping stress levels down but with a hot headed bipolar for a father and her own condition that is not always easy. It's also been advised that she not work so much, rest more. She loves her job and loves soccer and refuses to give up either. I really don't want to make her. We are in a small community with little resources for counseling. Is there any help available or advise. I feel like I spend all my time trying to help them stay balanced. My youngest daughter (15) is sort of getting left out due to all the attention reguired elsewhere.
Posted by: Rhonda Smith at July 29, 2005 9:13 AM
My heart goes out to you. Please take care of yourself and try to maintain some balance for yourself while you juggle your husband and daughter. Their highwire dramaland existence can be draining I'm sure, especially if you do not nourish (physically and mentally) yourself. The healthier I am, the better my BP 16 year old daughter retains some level of stabilization. Good thoughts and good luck!
Posted by: kathy gump at July 31, 2005 1:31 PM
My heart, too goes out for you and all others who suffer from this debilitatin mental disorder. But don't forget to give some time for your self too as well as help out your child and spouse. May you all have good health in the days to come. Good luck!
Posted by: Kenny at October 5, 2005 4:03 AM
my son is 15yrs and has had behavior proplems for the last three to four years. He has seen 5 different psychologists and has been in two behavioral hospitals and was diagnosed as ADHD and depression.He was put on medication and was non-compliant and he has gotten worse. He was expelled from puplic school in 9th grade and had to repeat 9th grade at an alternative school which he just got expelled from.I enlisted him at The Univ. Of Penna. in a study in which he was diagnosed bi-polar. He has been on juvenile probation because he was citated for drinking under age and criminal trsspassing. His P.O. wants to keep him in jail and I am trying to fight for him to get the proper tratment he needs. We have an appt.for the study for him to start the blood work etc. but his P.O.wants him to pay for his actions by being put in jail. He is my only son and I have been raising him on my own. What kind of help can I get to get his P.O. off both of our backs so my son can get the help he needs.He is not a criminal and never hurt anyone.Iam so agrey at the judicial system because they don't care. I need help from someone to save my son. I live in th suburbs of Phila. and I am a nurse.
Posted by: Rose Caprio at November 7, 2005 6:57 PM
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My husband has had bipolar for some time but he went untreated due to my not understanding the disease and his assurance that he was ok. He has now been treated for the last 5 years with good outcome except he tends to get depressed easy. This past December my 16 year old daughter was diagnosed. She was started on Lamictal 50mg and has recently had Abilfy 15 mg added to her daily dose. It's hard for me to know what to do for and with them. Her counselor advises keeping stress levels down but with a hot headed bipolar for a father and her own condition that is not always easy. It's also been advised that she not work so much, rest more. She loves her job and loves soccer and refuses to give up either. I really don't want to make her. We are in a small community with little resources for counseling. Is there any help available or advise. I feel like I spend all my time trying to help them stay balanced. My youngest daughter (15) is sort of getting left out due to all the attention reguired elsewhere.
Posted by: Rhonda Smith at July 29, 2005 9:13 AM
My heart goes out to you. Please take care of yourself and try to maintain some balance for yourself while you juggle your husband and daughter. Their highwire dramaland existence can be draining I'm sure, especially if you do not nourish (physically and mentally) yourself. The healthier I am, the better my BP 16 year old daughter retains some level of stabilization. Good thoughts and good luck!
Posted by: kathy gump at July 31, 2005 1:31 PM
My heart, too goes out for you and all others who suffer from this debilitatin mental disorder. But don't forget to give some time for your self too as well as help out your child and spouse. May you all have good health in the days to come. Good luck!
Posted by: Kenny at October 5, 2005 4:03 AM
my son is 15yrs and has had behavior proplems for the last three to four years. He has seen 5 different psychologists and has been in two behavioral hospitals and was diagnosed as ADHD and depression.He was put on medication and was non-compliant and he has gotten worse. He was expelled from puplic school in 9th grade and had to repeat 9th grade at an alternative school which he just got expelled from.I enlisted him at The Univ. Of Penna. in a study in which he was diagnosed bi-polar. He has been on juvenile probation because he was citated for drinking under age and criminal trsspassing. His P.O. wants to keep him in jail and I am trying to fight for him to get the proper tratment he needs. We have an appt.for the study for him to start the blood work etc. but his P.O.wants him to pay for his actions by being put in jail. He is my only son and I have been raising him on my own. What kind of help can I get to get his P.O. off both of our backs so my son can get the help he needs.He is not a criminal and never hurt anyone.Iam so agrey at the judicial system because they don't care. I need help from someone to save my son. I live in th suburbs of Phila. and I am a nurse.
Posted by: Rose Caprio at November 7, 2005 6:57 PM