Normal teenage moodswings vs. ...not normal?

A discussion I was having with someone the other day... Where is the difference between a teenager just having the average teenage hormones and whatnot, and them having some sort of disorder (mainly, bipolar disorder)? Is pretty much anything "normal" (in this case, normal meaning no mental disorders or anything) as long as it goes away once the person is no longer a teenager? Or is there a certain point where it's just, "No, that's not a normal teenager thing"?

That's a really good question. I don't have an answer, and I sincerely doubt any of the literature out there defines a clear non-arbitrary line between the two.

Seems more important to ask the question: does this particular problem (whether it's bipolar disorder or teenage lows and highs) warrant psychiatric treatment? Psychiatrists usually are inclined to say 'yes,' regardless because both scenarios look the same to them.

The treatment is often fundamentally disabling, lousy at controlling the initial symptoms, and introduces a slew of new ones.

But because the term 'bipolar' currently equates to a drug therapy of antipsychotics/ moodstabilizers/antidepressants, it certainly shouldn't be tossed off lightly.

Counselling/Therapy would certainly appear to be a much safer/more effective road in any event.

Like_Your_Spell I think that it's hard to to see the difference especially when you are dealing with new hormones etc. For myself a clear difference can be seen when my mood doesn't match with what's going on around me i.e. week 2 of my hospitalization for major depression I woke up happier than a pig in s***. For children / teens in my opinion a misdiagnosis of ADD often occurs when it's actually BP. Either way if there is a concern a diagnosis should be made by a Psychiatrist who specializes in disorders in teens/children because medication at that young age is even more controversial.

Yeah, I think this is a good point, blueoctober. Seems to me that usually when people talk about how "moody" a teenager is, they are talking about how they seem to be reacting to things with a greater magnitude than an adult would be likely to. "Reacting" is key there. Cause>>>Effect. Because time seems to move so much faster when one is young and because with hormones and whatnot, things are just more tumultuous, these changes can seem very rapid (to sloth-like adults, lol!). BUT THEY ARE VERY MUCH IN TUNE WITH THE GIVEN SITUATION (though they may seem exaggerated to an adult, they are still in tune.) To me, that would be normal.

Personal experience... I had a classic presentation. 20 years old when the roller coaster ride began in earnest. Looking back, I can see glimpses a bit further back that "might" have been indicators, but, certainly nothing I'd want to jump all over with medications. I think in recent times, people have been all too eager to jump on every little nuance of potential trouble (ie. over-reacting). I *don't* consider this a good thing. At all. There surely are cases where there are pretty clearcut indicators that should be attended to. In the majority of cases though (IMO, and I'm obviously not a doctor) it would seem better to have a patient attitude and proceed with care.

Blue...what if someone is diagnosed ADHD and bipolar? Do you have any info on this? My hubby ADHD "acting" as a kid (16 yrs old). Now is 37 and dianosed with ADHD and bipolar. So for that long he was undiagnosed. Any advice/knowledge you have would be great. It's funny...he was tested for ADHD 2 months ago (series of tests) and was "told" he was bipolar. Which one do you think he accepted? Not accepting the bipolar.

I think the ADHD for some is easier to accept. There is definitely more stigma associated with BP and for a while ritalin was being dispensed to children like candy! I am definitely not an expert or a doctor, but because many of the symptoms of ADHD and ADD are shared with BP that's where I can see there being an issue with misdiagnosis. However, a person can definitely have a dual diagnosis of ADD/ADHD and BP. BP can be a difficult illness to diagnose because the symptoms aren't continuous, so if I only see my p-doc when I'm depressed he or she may miss the diagnosis. I was lucky that I went hypomanic in the hospital, so I received an accurate diagnosis quite quickly considering I had never reached out for help for mental issues before.