Bipolar Disorder education and treatment.

What We Can Do to Help Your Child

If your child has been recently diagnoised with bipolar disorder or your current school does not meet your child's special needs please contact us. Montgomery Academy is equipped to appeal to the more unconventional student by offering a more unconventional format in which to learn. While we do use textbooks and employ the more traditional styles of teaching, these are not the only, nor the primary, means of educating. Whenever and wherever possible hands-on, experiential techniques are used. Building models, dioramas, exploring the campus environment, role playing, field trips, cooking, and other hands on methods are used regularly. Our classrooms and halls reflect what is being studied, drawings, murals, reports and projects are all proudly displayed.

Treatment Options

Bipolar Treatments

Treatment for bipolar disorder most often includes a combination of a mood-stabilizing drug and psychotherapy. Although drug treatment is primary, ongoing psychotherapy is important to help patients better cope with the condition.

Medications

If your child has a bipolar disorder, they will probably need medication. In reality, your child may need bipolar medication for the rest of their life.

Therapy

Along with medication, ongoing psychotherapy, or "talk" therapy, is an important part of treatment for bipolar disorder. During therapy, your child can discuss feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that cause them problems.

Treating Bipolar Mania

If your child is suffering from mania, your child's doctor may initially treat him/her with an antipsychotic drug, benzodiazepine, and/or lithium to quickly control hyperactivity, sleeplessness, hostility, and irritability. Your child's doctor will also likely prescribe a mood stabilizer.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme changes in mood (poles) -- from mania to depression. Between these mood swings, a person with bipolar disorder may experience normal moods.

"Manic" describes an increasingly restless, energetic, talkative, reckless, powerful, euphoric period. Then, at some point, this high-flying mood can spiral into something darker -- irritation, confusion, anger, feeling trapped.

"Depression" describes the opposite mood -- sadness, crying, sense of worthlessness, loss of energy, loss of pleasure, sleep problems.

But because the pattern of highs and lows varies for each person, bipolar disorder is a complex disease to diagnose. For some people, mania or depression can last for weeks or months, even for years. For other people, bipolar disorder takes the form of frequent and dramatic mood shifts.

What are the symtoms?

1) bipolar mania
* euphoria or irritability
* excessive talk; racing thoughts
* inflated self-esteem
* unusual energy; less need for sleep
* impulsiveness, a reckless pursuit of gratification

2) bipolar depression
* depressed mood and low self-esteem
* low energy levels and apathy
* sadness, loneliness, helplessness, guilt
* slow speech, fatigue, and poor coordination
* insomnia or oversleeping
* suicidal thoughts and feelings
* poor concentration
* lack of interest or pleasure in usual activities

Though we follow New Jersey’s Core Content Curriculum Standards, we are able to remain creative and flexible in our approaches to the subject matter. Please read about our programs.

• Instructional Programs
• Transitional Programs
• Therapeutic Programs
• Guidance Counseling
• Summer Programs

Our holistic, custom-tailored, arts and technology rich approach uses innovative hands-on teaching methods delivered with sensitivity in small, dynamic classrooms on a serene mountain top in pastoral Mendham Township.

Come and see how we can help your son or daughter realize their unique potential in an atmosphere of trust and security that promotes self reliance and a love of lifelong learning.