Bipolar Disorder Treatment for Teens in CA

At Ascend Behavioral Health, we are dedicated to helping teens struggling with bipolar disorder regain stability and improve their mental health. As a leading teen bipolar disorder treatment center, we provide comprehensive, evidence-based treatment programs designed to address the unique needs of adolescents facing mood swings, manic episodes, and depressive episodes. Our expert team of mental health professionals offers a full spectrum of care, from residential treatment to outpatient programs, ensuring that each teen receives the right level of support.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that causes recurring episodes of mania, hypomania, and depression, affecting a person’s ability to regulate emotions, energy levels, and behavior. Clinically, it is divided into Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, and Cyclothymic Disorder, each presenting with different levels of severity. The shifts in mood are unpredictable and can significantly impact a teen’s ability to function in school, relationships, and daily responsibilities.

Understanding the Different Types of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition that presents in different forms, each with unique patterns of mood swings, manic episodes, and depressive episodes. Recognizing the differences is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment planning to help teens manage their symptoms effectively.

Bipolar I Disorder

This form is characterized by at least one manic episode lasting a week or requiring hospitalization. Manic episodes can include racing thoughts, impulsive decision-making, a decreased need for sleep, and, in some cases, psychotic symptoms. Depressive episodes often follow and may last for weeks, severely affecting daily life.

Bipolar II Disorder

Unlike bipolar I, individuals with bipolar II disorder experience hypomanic episodes, which are less severe than full-blown mania but still lead to noticeable mood swings, increased energy, and impulsivity. This type is often marked by longer-lasting depressive episodes, which can be more frequent and debilitating than in bipolar I disorder.

Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia)

This chronic mood disorder involves frequent fluctuations between hypomanic and depressive symptoms that do not meet the full criteria for bipolar I or II disorder. While these mood shifts may not seem extreme, they can still impact a teen’s quality of life, relationships, and emotional stability over time.

Why Is Bipolar Disorder Difficult to Diagnose in Teens?

Diagnosing bipolar disorder in adolescents can be challenging, as mood swings and emotional changes are also a normal part of development. Many clinicians hesitate to make a formal diagnosis at a young age since symptoms can overlap with other mental health conditions such as ADHD, depression, or personality disorders. However, when a teen exhibits persistent, severe mood instability that disrupts daily life, early intervention and treatment are essential. At Ascend Behavioral Health, we focus on treating the symptoms rather than labeling young individuals, providing evidence-based therapies, mood stabilization strategies, and family support to help teens navigate their mental health challenges and improve their overall quality of life.

Signs Your Teen May Need Professional Help

It’s natural for teens to experience mood swings as they navigate adolescence, but when emotional highs and lows become extreme, persistent, and disruptive, it may indicate bipolar disorder. Parents should consider seeking professional intervention if their teen exhibits:

• Severe mood swings that are more intense than typical teenage emotions.
• Episodes of extreme energy and impulsivity (mania or hypomania) that lead to risky behavior.
• Prolonged depressive episodes with persistent sadness, withdrawal, and hopelessness.
• Unstable sleep patterns, including little to no sleep during highs and excessive sleep during lows.
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions, affecting school performance and responsibilities.
• Self-harm behaviors or thoughts of suicide, which require immediate professional support.

Unlike normal teenage mood fluctuations, bipolar disorder symptoms occur in distinct, prolonged episodes that significantly impact daily life. Untreated bipolar disorder can lead to academic struggles, strained relationships with family and peers, and increased risk of substance use, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.

Early mental health treatment can provide teens with the support they need to manage symptoms and regain stability, preventing long-term complications. If you notice these signs in your teen, seeking help from a specialized teen bipolar disorder treatment center like Ascend Behavioral Health can be the first step toward healing.

Our Approach to Teen Bipolar Disorder Treatment

At Ascend Behavioral Health, we provide a specialized, evidence-based treatment program tailored to help teens manage bipolar disorder effectively. Our approach combines psychiatric care, evidence-based therapy, structured treatment plans, and dual diagnosis treatment to address all aspects of a teen’s mental health.

Comprehensive Psychiatric Care & Medication Management

Effective treatment for bipolar disorder often includes medication management to regulate mood swings, manic episodes, and depressive symptoms. Our psychiatric team carefully assesses each teen’s needs, prescribing mood stabilizers, antidepressants, or antipsychotic medications when appropriate. Medication is always monitored closely, with adjustments made as needed to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Evidence-Based Therapy for Emotional Stability

We integrate proven psychotherapies to help teens develop skills to manage their symptoms. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches them to recognize and modify harmful thought patterns, while Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) helps with emotional regulation and impulse control. Teens also benefit from individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy, allowing them to explore personal struggles while strengthening their support systems.

Personalized Treatment Plans & Levels of Care

Each teen’s journey is unique, which is why we develop customized treatment plans based on their symptoms, triggers, and overall mental health needs. Our center offers multiple levels of care, including residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), and intensive outpatient programs (IOP). Whether a teen requires 24/7 supervision or a structured outpatient program, we provide the right level of support at every stage of recovery.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Co-Occurring Substance Use

Many teens with bipolar disorder struggle with substance abuse as a way to self-medicate their extreme mood shifts. Our dual diagnosis treatment program addresses both conditions simultaneously, helping teens overcome substance dependence while learning healthier ways to manage their mental health disorder. This approach is essential in preventing relapse and promoting long-term stability.

Building a Foundation for Long-Term Wellness

Our goal is to help teens build a sustainable path to recovery by developing healthy coping skills, improving their relationships, and fostering a sense of self-confidence and emotional resilience. Through structured therapy, psychiatric support, and family involvement, we guide adolescents toward lasting wellness, equipping them with the tools they need to thrive.

At Ascend Behavioral Health, we are committed to providing compassionate, specialized care for teens struggling with bipolar disorder. With the right support, teens can learn to manage their condition and lead fulfilling, balanced lives.

Take the First Step Toward Stability—Call Us Today

If your teen is struggling with bipolar disorder, don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. Early intervention can make all the difference in their emotional stability, academic success, and overall well-being. At Ascend Behavioral Health, we provide specialized treatment programs designed to help teens regain control of their lives.Our team of experienced mental health professionals is ready to guide your family through the next steps. Call us today to speak with a compassionate specialist who can answer your questions, discuss treatment options, and help you verify insurance coverage. Your teen deserves the right support—let’s start their journey to healing together.