Bipolar Disorder Treatment for Teens
Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch is a residential therapy program for teen boys ages 14-17. Our dual-diagnosis treatment approach helps teens 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 behavior.
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.
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.
At Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch, we support bipolar treatment for teens with:
● 24-Hour Nursing and Medication Management
● Evidence-Based Psychotherapy with Licensed Christian Therapists
● Family Involvement in Therapy
● Equine-Assisted Therapy for Stress Reduction
● Routine Management & Life Skill Building
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 During periods of depression, the same teen can quickly become suicidal, withdrawn, or hopeless.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
Bipolar disorder can show up in day-to-day life as:
● Poor or Inconsistent Academic Performance
● Difficulty Maintaining Relationships
● Frequent Verbal or Physical Altercations
● Unusual Sleep Habits
● Easily Distracted or Often Forgetful
When Is Residential Therapeutic Treatment Necessary for Teens with Bipolar Disorder
Residential therapeutic treatment can be beneficial for teens when symptoms severely impact daily life and other treatments have failed. Long-term residential treatment can be an effective way to safely stabilize erratic behaviors stemming from untreated bipolar disorder.
Placement in dual-diagnosis facility can be especially helpful when teens are self-medicating bipolar symptoms with drugs, alcohol, or video game addictions. These programs can offer psychiatric evaluation, clinical medication management, licensed therapeutic treatment, and a safe living environment.
Why Choose Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch
Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch provides a holistic, Christ-centered therapeutic intervention designed to stabilize behaviors, engage teens in therapeutic treatment, address root cause mental health issues, and build skills for long-term success.
Our bipolar disorder treatment program focuses on stabilizing teens with proper medication management based on individual genetics and equipping them with life skills for long-term success.
Our Christian therapeutic team helps facilitate recovery through a combination of treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy, mindfulness and relaxaton techniques, along with a variety of high-engagement self-growth opportunities ranging from outdoor adventure expeditions and equine-assisted therapy to bible study and life skills classes.
Effective, evidence-based treatment with a holistic approach designed to change lives and renew families.
Healthy habits. Healthy relationships. Healthy recovery.
Speak to our admissions team today and learn more about how we can help your teen overcome the challenges of his bipolar diagnosis.
