Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness condition, which displays symptoms of extreme mood swings. These mood swings range from extreme mania to depression. A troubled teen having problems with bipolar disorder may display:

• When Depressed-
  • Sadness
  • Problems sleeping, eating, and losing weight
  • Negative thoughts about oneself (including thoughts about death and hurting oneself)
  • Difficulties with attention and concentration
• When Manic-
  • Euphoric or irritable moods
  • Inflated self-esteem and over-confidence
  • Increased talkativeness
  • Distractibility
  • Boundless energy
  • Decreased need for sleep

Bipolar disorder may also involve hallucinations (such as hearing voices) and delusions.

Causes of Bipolar Disorder
Doctors and researchers don't know exactly what causes bipolar disorder. But a variety of biologic, genetic and environmental factors seem to be involved in causing and triggering episodes of this illness. Factors that may contribute to or trigger episodes of bipolar disorder include drug abuse and stressful or psychologically traumatic events.

How Top Flight Academy Can Help
Bipolar disorder can upset how a person functions as well as effect family members and others around them. Medications, therapy, structure, and skills development, will benefit troubled teens with bipolar disorder to help them develop strategies so they can cope with their bipolar disorder. Top Flight Academy will manage medication, provide daily therapy, and teach skills through the foundation of Positive Peer Culture that will help troubled teens with bipolar disorder. In addition, Top Flight Academy provides a motivational factor of aviation training that expedites positive changes and makes students feel good about themselves again.

Unfortunately, Top Flight Academy cannot accept many children diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Each application is considered carefully, on a case-by-case basis. Please contact a Top Flight counselor to discuss your child's particular needs.