sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Bipolar disorder in child and teens: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency help if the young person:

    • Has attempted suicide or is in immediate danger of self-harm
    • Has a suicide plan, access to lethal means, or cannot stay safe
    • Is threatening serious harm to someone else
    • Is severely agitated, psychotic, confused, or unable to meet basic needs
    • Is behaving dangerously and cannot be safely supervised

    Call local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department.

    In the United States, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

    Do not leave a young person alone when there is immediate danger.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact the treating clinician promptly if there is a sudden major change in sleep, behavior, judgment, agitation, depression, or medication response.

    New hallucinations, unusual beliefs, or escalating risk-taking also need urgent assessment.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Regular follow-up is important even when a young person feels well.

    Visits may be more frequent during an acute episode, after a medicine change, or when safety is uncertain.

    Stable patients still need periodic review of mood, sleep, school functioning, physical health, and side effects.

    Arrange routine follow-up if symptoms are gradually returning, side effects are bothersome, doses are being missed, or school and family functioning are worsening.

The article also says

Families can watch for the young person's personal warning signs.

These may include sleeping less, talking more, becoming unusually confident or irritable, withdrawing from activities, or falling behind at school.

A written plan should state whom to contact and what steps to take.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Bipolar disorder in child and teens. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.