Bi-Polor and children. . .

[kiten69]

Dealing with a bi-polor child? Any advice would be most welcomed. . .

Yes, I am beginning to think I have one. . .the disease does run in my family. . .and he has alot of the symptoms. . .we have ruled alot of the other stuff out. . .*sigh*

I am setting up a neuro appt. for him and thinking of requesting a psych eval. . .I feel lost in this whole mess. . .I have no clue how to deal with this. . .

 

[myinnerslut]

i'm bipolar. i was diagnosed when i was 11. what do you want to know?

 

[be_ignited]

My mother is bipolar and I recognize a lot of similar symptoms in myself and my siblings, particularly my brother ( I tend towards unipolar depression and my brother more towards manic-depression. My problems tend to be more "functional" for want of a better term, while my brother can get so anxious that he can't go to school for weeks at a time).

If you don't mind my asking, how old is your child, and how long has s/he been having problems?

My best suggestion is to work on finding a good therapist that both you and your child trust. I'd recommend a psychiatrist so that the option for medication remains open if you decide it's right for your child, and you won't have to deal with finding another doctor further down the road.

I know how hard it is to watch someone you love suffering and not be able to do much by yourself to help them. Best of luck to you and yours.

Sara

 

[catalina_francisco]

My piece of advice is make sure of the diagnosis before getting stressed or taking on any treatments. I know with my own son's issues I tried to get help and a firm diagnosis almost since the day he was born. Of course, if his problems had been taken seriously by doctors and psychs then, instead of getting all excited about his IQ, he would not be having such a hard time believing he can have a future and adjusting now after finally being assessed and given support at the ripe old age of 21. So many mental issues share similar or vague symptoms/signs it is often difficult to find the right one, but it can be done if the time is taken and the knowledge is there.

Catalina

 

[subgrl18]

im sorry kitten, you must be very scared. My advice would be to learn as much about it as you can. I think that knowledge is power and the more you actualy know about something the better off you are at handling it. I used to volenteer at a school for kids with all kinds of different disapilitys and behaivior problems one little boy was about 7 and they were really leaning towards bipolar (tho they dont diagnose it till much older). I worked with him for the better of 2 years so if u have any questions ill try my best to answer them. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[kiten69]

Thanks for the thoughts, everyone.

My son is almost 10. We (current therapist, psyc, and myself) have looked at other options. . .ADD and such. As Cat said, many other disorders share the same symptoms as bi-polor. We have tried a few different meds for ADD (his attention span is horrible, grades failing as a result). The psyc said if it was bi-polor the drugs for the ADD would intensify the symptoms of the bi-polor. . .if it was ADD then the drugs would help. . .every one of them made his symptoms worse.

He has been this way since he was born. . .temper tantrums coupled with head banging when he was too young to speak. Now the tantrums have turned into fits of "rage". . .when he is in one of these outbursts there is no "calming" him or controling him. He changes, becomes cold and uncaring. . .it's scary. The episodes last anywhere from 30 mins. . .to the longest one thus far 2.5 hours, and he is totally exhausted after he comes down. He is in a very fragile mood (easily set off) for a few days afterwards, so it is like walking on eggshells.

I've tried hug therapy with him, which worked until he got big enough to really "fight" it. I've tried ignoring the behavior, taking away his possessions, his video games. . .grounding. . .you name it I've tried it. It seems this only serves to feed his "rage". Now I am down too ignoring the behavior as best I can until we figure out what to do next.

unipolar depression and my brother more towards manic-depression

what is the difference?

 

[myinnerslut]

i know that this is a very difficult time for him, for you, and for your family.

bipolar disorder can be one of those things that is worse in childhood then in adulthood. i know for me it was. i got bounced around from doctor to doctor untill one finally figured out that i was bipolar. even after that, medicating me properly was a challenge due to my age and the fact that my body chemstry and hormones were still changing. if you ever need any support or have any questions, feel free to pm me at any point. i wish you the best.

 

[kiten69]

if you ever need any support or have any questions, feel free to pm me at any point. i wish you the best.

Thanks

 

[catalina_francisco]

what is the difference?

Have they looked at things like autism, particularly Asperger's which is even trickier as each person who has it exhibits different symptoms and characteristics which confuse the heck out of everyone?

Catalina

 

[kiten69]

Have they looked at things like autism, particularly Asperger's which is even trickier as each person who has it exhibits different symptoms and characteristics which confuse the heck out of everyone?

Catalina

Not yet, that's why I was thinking I'd like for him to start seeing a neurologist along with the psych and the therapist.

 

[graceanne]

*hugs* My sister was recently diagnosed as bi-polar. She's 17, but was . . 15? I think? when she was diagnosed.

My middle girl is ADD, and I've sometimes worried that she's bipolar myself. She has MOODSWINGS. I know that it's not the same as what you're going through. If you need someone to vent at, I've been told I'm a very good listener.

 

[Sir Victor]

Not yet, that's why I was thinking I'd like for him to start seeing a neurologist along with the psych and the therapist.

How was his language development as a child? Speech? Reading?
Generally how was his development in childhood?

How does he sleep?

 

[kiten69]

If you need someone to vent at, I've been told I'm a very good listener.

Thanks *hugs back*

 

[Moonlit]

.temper tantrums coupled with head banging when he was too young to speak. Now the tantrums have turned into fits of "rage". . .when he is in one of these outbursts there is no "calming" him or controling him. He changes, becomes cold and uncaring. . .it's scary. The episodes last anywhere from 30 mins. . .to the longest one thus far 2.5 hours, and he is totally exhausted after he comes down. He is in a very fragile mood (easily set off) for a few days afterwards, so it is like walking on eggshells.

Have you had him tested for food allergies?

I know someone who was a lot like this at one time (including the problems in school). The mood swings etc. turned out to be his body reacting to artificial sweetners in foods and beverages.

 

[graceanne]

Have you had him tested for food allergies?

I know someone who was a lot like this at one time (including the problems in school). The mood swings etc. turned out to be his body reacting to artificial sweetners in foods and beverages.

I've also noticed that my daughter does better when she's on a gluten free diet. That's jsut easier said that done. It's nearly impossible to feed a child without bread and noodles. And the gluten free alternatives are nasty.

 

[be_ignited]

Thanks for the thoughts, everyone.

...





what is the difference?

Unipolar depression is basically "regular" depression. Manic-Depression is another term for Bipolar disorder. Sorry for being a bit obtuse.

I second what Catalina said and looking into Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. I'm only speaking as a former psych major (and my personal experiences with bipolar disorder are largely in adulthood and adolescense) but your son's symptoms sound very similar.

 

[catalina_francisco]

If the daignosis comes out as Asperger's, feel free to PM me if you want to ask any questions.

Catalina

 

[Evil_Geoff]

The more I read about Asperger's, the more I think I may be an un-diagnosed case... I was obsessed as all hell when I was a kid, genius level IQ, poor social skills... I still tend to obsess on things (BDSM, the internet), I'm still smart though the memory is not as good as it once was, and i've had a long time to work on my social skills so I'm not that "geeky kid in the corner alone" anymore.

*scratches his head*

I wonder what, if any, difference it would make in my life at this point, to be evaluated for that?