Manic Depression in Teen Girls
New Lifehouse Academy, a Teen Challenge Christian therapeutic boarding school for troubled girls, works with your daughter to find the root of their depression and find successful ways to overcome it.
Manic Depression, more commonly referred to as Bipolar Disorder is characterized by periods of abnormally high mood and energy level followed by periods of abnormally low mood and energy level. The elevated periods are clinically referred to as manic, while the low periods are referred to as depressive.
Those suffering from Manic Depression may have periods of normal mood levels in between; others quickly alternate between mania and depression. This condition is described as rapid cycling. The manic phase is frequently characterized by heightened energy levels and decreased need for sleep. Additional symptoms include impaired judgment, spending sprees, substance abuse, risky behavior, and low attention span. The depressive phase is often manifest with anxiety, guilt, isolation, anger, disturbed sleep, fatigue, loneliness, and in some cases suicidal thoughts or actions.
Manic Depression is typically treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Because of the self-threatening nature of many of the behaviors associated with both the “highs” and “lows“ of the mood cycle, it may be necessary for commitment, either voluntary or involuntary, for treatment to proceed. The suicide rate for manic depression sufferers is a major concern. As many as one-third reported having attempted suicide or were identified as having committed suicide. This places the incidence at more than ten times the general population.
Often Manic Depression appears in childhood or early adolescence, but because of the wide range of symptoms, it can be missed or misdiagnosed. Between one third and one-half of adults who are manic-depressive reported traumatic childhood events or abuse, and those who did suffer from those reported more serious and frequent symptoms. Parents noticing fluctuating symptoms should seek professional help in determining and diagnosing the cause of the problems. Early treatment of manic depressive issues is critical, particularly given the already elevated incidence of teenage suicide attempts.
New Lifehouse Academy Helps Your Daughter Heal From Her Manic Depression
New Lifehouse Academy, a Teen Challenge Christian boarding school, is a low-cost Christian boarding school designed for troubled or misbehaving girls, ages 14-18. New Lifehouse’s goal is to provide teenage girls and their families with the tools and resources to help them begin to thrive academically, relationally, and spiritually. We help once troubled girls begin living a fulfilling life, equipping them to become happy, confident, self-reliant, and successful adults.
The positive peer culture at New Lifehouse Academy therapeutic boarding school for teen girls teaches teens that becoming dedicated to the wellbeing of others gives them the greatest opportunity to develop responsibility and self-worth.
In many cases, adolescents place more value on the opinions and influence of their peers than on those of their parents or other authority figures. Positive peer culture takes therapeutic advantage of this tendency by teaching students to focus on others rather than remaining self-centered. Scripture contains numerous examples and admonitions to care for others. Students eventually discover that their own needs are also met when they focus their attention on serving others first. Positive peer culture fosters a strong sense of community, in which each student takes responsibility for his own personal growth but also becomes invested in the growth of the community as a whole.
As you begin to see signs that your daughter has gotten off track and is in a downward spiral, a plan can be developed to intervene. Sometimes this begins with counseling, but it may lead to placement at a center like New Lifehouse for a time. Without identifying the warning signs early, the latter choice is usually what becomes necessary. For several reasons, you might be at that point now, and we are here to help identify what direction you might have to take to get your daughter the help she needs to overcome her life-controlling issues.
