Bipolar Disorder and Your Teenage Boy at Gateway Academy

Gateway can help your boy as he struggles with Bipolar Disorder, a condition distinguished by periods of unusually elevated mood and energy followed by periods of abnormally depleted mood and energy level.  His mood will swing back and forth between exhilaration and despair, tending towards the extremes when compared to the normal “ups and downs” which most everybody experiences in life.

While he may experience normal phases in between, the high phase (clinically referred to as “manic”), could find him easily distracted, with racing thoughts, elevated self-regard, too much talking and too little need for sleep, bad judgment and temper control, little self control and engaging in reckless behaviors (promiscuous sexual activity, overindulgent drinking/eating/drug use).

His “depressive” (clinically low) episodes might be marked with anxiety, regret, isolation, annoyance, gloom, lack of energy, excessive/disturbed sleep, loss of interest in once-enjoyable activities or friends, suicidal thoughts or actions.

Family history and brain chemistry are considered factors, but causes for BPD are not clearly known.  Recognized factors include: a blood relative with BPD, substance abuse, excessive high stress or trauma.

Gateway Academy – Here to Help Your Teen Who Struggles with Bipolar Disorder

Getting a correct diagnosis is critical due to the self-threatening nature of many of the behaviors linked to Bipolar Disorder; in some cases, commitment (either voluntary or against his will) is going to be necessary, in order to allow treatment to proceed.  Early treatment is vital (so as not to confuse his symptoms with chronic depression) especially as there is a high suicide rate among teens with Bipolar Disorder.

Taken in conjunction with therapy are medications that can help control your son’s BPD symptoms, which will be requisite for his lifetime, since it can be illusory to feel that symptoms are no longer apparent, allowing one to think that the problems may have vanished and he’s been cured.

Adventure Replaces Risky Behavior, Mentoring Brings Change at Gateway Academy for Boys

Gateway Academy is a character-building boarding school that offers positive discipline and life-change for boys who’ve gotten off track in life, need discipline and order, and respect for authority and for their loved ones.

Our Teen Challenge achievement lifestyle will allow your son to change for the better, with new drive and a new passion to serve others. We teach self-discipline, the value of academics and trust in God, to boys who arrive without purpose but develop solid direction and goals for their life ahead.  Counseling, team sports, spiritual emphasis and a hands-on mission outreach are offered at The Academy (plus ranch and farm), turning troubled boys into respectful and caring young men

High school diplomas are awarded to our graduates, who will have been assisted in their self-paced, computer based Christian curriculum by certified teachers. Team sports teach critical interpersonal skills of camaraderie and knowing how to work with others, and so we strongly encourage athletic participation with all our students.  Our life changing military format (we were once a Christian military school) creates a pattern of achievement, and includes frequent chapel service, evenings of Bible discussion, and biblical themes interjected into everything we do.

We provide our students with an atmosphere that offers a sense of well-being and ongoing support for those who are troubled by personal, spiritual and academic challenges.  In the classroom, on the exercise field and at the ranch, Gateway Academy is designed for the betterment of each student, and the restoration of the family. Call us at  850 547-9011 so that your son can discover there’s more to life than struggling or fighting with those who care most about him.