Bipolar Disorder Treatment for Teen Boys
Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch is a residential therapy program for teen boys with mental health conditions, like anxiety, depression, bipolar, and suicidal behaviors who self-medicate with negative coping mechanisms like drug and alcohol abuse, video game addictions, and risk-seeking behaviors.
Bipolar Disorder in Teens
Bipolar disorder in teens is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). These mood swings can affect energy levels, behavior, judgment, sleep, and the ability to think clearly. Before the age of 18, these emerging patterns are often diagnosed as disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, or DMDD.
Although bipolar disorder can occur at any age, it often develops in the late teen years or early adulthood. However, diagnosing bipolar disorder in teens can be challenging because its symptoms can resemble or co-occur with those of other problems such as ADHD, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. Teen mood swings may also be mistaken for normal teenage behavior, but bipolar disorder is more than just typical moodiness.
We can provide a safe, therapy-intensive intervention designed to stabilize behavior, treat underlying conditions and equip teens for success.
Individual, Family, and Group Therapy Sessions Led by Licensed, Christian Therapists
Psychiatric Evaluation, Medication Management & 24-Hour Skilled Nursing
Individualized Academics with Support for Behavior-Driven Learning Needs
Immersive, Christ-Centered Environment Fostering Personal & Spiritual Growth
Understanding How Bipolar Disorder Affects Teen Behavior
The nature of bipolar disorder makes behavior erratic and unpredictable. During manic episodes, teens with bipolar often exhibit overconfident personality traits, hyperactivity, or bursts of aggression. During periods of depression, the same teen can quickly become suicidal, withdrawn, or hopeless.
Teens struggling with bipolar disorder may be diagnosed with Type I Bipolar characterized by significant emotional disturbances or Type II Bipolar which more closely resembles typical teenage behavior with distinct patterns to their manic and depressive behaviors
Emerging Bipolar Disorder Looks Like:
Inconsistent Academic Performance
Difficulty Maintaining Friendships
Frequent Verbal/Physical Altercations
Unusual Sleeping Habits
Unpredictable Changes in Behavior
Easily Distracted
Emotional Outbursts
Irritability or Aggressiveness
Erratic or Risky Behavior
When Is a Residential Treatment the Right Choice?
Residential treatment can be the right choice for teens with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) when their behaviors and emotional challenges are so severe that they cannot be safely or effectively addressed at home or in outpatient therapy.
Are behaviors severely impacting daily life?
When incidents begin to severely impact social, academic, or occupational functioning, treatment can help. The process typically begins with outpatient therapy, but if behaviors do not improve, residential treatment can provide a more immersive treatment experience.
Does the teen have more than one co-occurring diagnosis?
When more than one diagnosis is co-occuring, treatment becomes increasingly complex. These individuals often benefit from an immersive, residential treatment program that can tailor services to meet their unique needs. For example, if impulsive behaviors stem from past childhood trauma, a residential placement can support both root-cause interventions and the development of healthier coping strategies to stabilize behaviors.
Have outpatient treatment options previously failed?
For many, outpatient therapy provides enough support to overcome self-harming behaviors. However, if a teens who have previously failed with outpatient services or who have had multiple short-term placements, often benefit from longer-term treatment like a residential program.
Is there an immediate risk of danger?
If behaviors pose an immediate risk to the individual or those around them, placement in a residential treatment program can help keep everyone safe.
Have Previous Treatment Options Failed?
Residential treatment is often most appropriate for individuals who have not seen sustained success with outpatient or short-term treatment options. The immersive, long-term approach of a residential treatment center can provide enhanced structure and support to facilitate an intense focus on recovery.
Why Choose Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch?
For more than 50 years, Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch has been helping teen boys with mental or behavioral struggles discover their true identities in Christ, overcome the symptoms of their diagnosis, and thrive in the outside world.
Our program provides stabilization, skill-building, and transition support so that your son can work on identifying and resolving past trauma, improve emotional regulation and coping strategies, and build strong systems of support.
Our six core areas of healing include:
- Clinical Therapy
- Individualized Academics
- Outdoor Adventure
- Equine Therapy
- Family Involvement
- Spiritual Growth
