# Elevated Cortisol Levels and Manic Symptoms in a 16-Year-Old Female: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A 16-year-old girl with high cortisol levels was diagnosed with mania, suggesting a link between cortisol dysregulation and mood disorders.

## Contribution

This case report highlights a potential connection between elevated cortisol and manic symptoms in adolescents with bipolar disorder.

## Key findings

- The patient exhibited manic symptoms alongside elevated cortisol levels.
- A diagnosis of bipolar I disorder was made based on clinical and laboratory findings.
- The case suggests the importance of assessing cortisol in mood disorder evaluations.

## Abstract

This case report presents the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of a 16-year-old female with elevated cortisol levels who was diagnosed with mania. The patient exhibited symptoms consistent with a manic episode, including extreme euphoria, decreased need for sleep, impulsivity, and heightened irritability. Laboratory investigations revealed an elevated morning cortisol level, prompting further psychiatric evaluation. A diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, manic episode, was made based on established criteria. The patient was initiated on mood stabilizers and antipsychotic medications alongside psychoeducation for the patient and her family. This case underscores the potential association between cortisol dysregulation and mood disorders, highlighting the importance of comprehensive assessment and personalized treatment approaches in adolescents with bipolar disorder. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms linking cortisol dysregulation and mood disturbances and explore novel therapeutic interventions targeting hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction.