teens with bipolar

Jean - posted on 10/15/2012

my duaghter has been suffering with (to shorten it bip-disorder) since she was very little iv had her in counceling since she was 6 with no solutions or diagnosis,always knew as a mom something was very differenet about my sweet baby girl, so did her twin @ older sister.never had an answer until two weeks ago.my duaghter has so many issues of melt downs as i called them to extreme high happy days to breakdowns, school has been a nightmare she always in i.s.s. for fights even with her best friends, then she would harm her self when she was sent to i.s.s..I was hopeing with postive inforcement @ encourgement she would stay out of trouble by joining in sports her favorite thing, but to no aveil. a school psychologist has recently been seeing her we just started @ took her to a pysician.then got family history grandparents, uncles, @ aunt( I never knew wish I had.)they have been in instatution for (bip) @ highly suspect my mother did but undiagnosised. been studying everything i can to understand my daughter.yes i know she has this disorder. one hand im relieved after all this time was feeling like im not doing her right as a mom, but to know its an illness is a relief. but scared whats the right way to go? reading on meds.they scare the hell out me @ yes she as stricture at home @ is loved, we had our diffaculties believe me.@ this is new, very new to the field for the psychologist with childern,that concerns me! I dont want my child a guinie pig, nor do i want her instatutionalized, nor jailed,is there good postive ways to help her? with out doping her up? this illness as i understand is encureable at this time.I love my duaghter so very much theres got to be good answers or a direction to help her better.mom still searching.plus horomones have kicked in she going to be 14 very soon @ its getting worse if somebody been doing this with help for a whaile would like to know a postive direction to go from this point in our faimly please thank-you.p.s mom single with little moneys @ live very small town in texas traveling 1 1/2 hours away is very hard.huge burden.

Kim - posted on 10/02/2011

My daughter is 16....it's soooo difficult! And heartbreaking. And you're right...I don't know what's normal teen behavior and what is a result of her illness. Right now she hates herself. I feel so helpless. She is on Lexapro and Seroquel XR 300....

Teresa - posted on 01/03/2011

I had my son 18 days after my 16th birthday. My father had been diagnosed bipolar for years, and I showed many symptoms, but I was not diagnosed until I was almost 20...after my son was hospitalized and diagnosed bipolar with psychosis at 3 years of age. He spent almost a month in the hospital that first time, and there have been at least 12 more stays since. He will be 16 next month, and the treatment team is looking into residential treatment for a short while to try to stabilize his extreme impulsiveness from the ADHD he also has. Fortunately, due to being on meds from such a young age, it is "normal" and we have no issues with compliance. As far as knowing what is normal or not...well, being bipolar myself, i have relied heavily on my own experience with the condition, as well as what I remember of my father's cycles. There are also several books that I have found helpful. You may have heard of "The Bipolar Child" by Dimitri Papolos, but there is another book that has helped the entire family, especially my husband who had never dealt with these types of issues before we married in 1994. It is called, "Loving Someone who Has Bipolar Disorder" It is designed to help create a complete support/safety net to help deal with a Bipolar person's mood swings and symptoms. It is excellent. If by chance I can help answer any specific questions, do not hesitate to ask me.

Pam - posted on 12/03/2010

My daughter is almost 16. She is in her 2nd residential facility. Too many hospital stays to count. But we finally have meds stable and monthly periods calming a bit. She is going on the pill to help with month long periods and bad acne. She has finally learned that the meds are helping her and she is completely med compliant. I would love to answer any questions or help in any way I can.

Elizabeth - posted on 04/07/2010

I totally agree with Holly....it can be very difficult to tell whats normal and what is due to bipolar...you really do have to trust the mom instinct and monitor his moods. Keeping a daily journal so you can track his moods and possible triggers. It would be optimal if you can get him to do the same, that way you can have two perspectives of his mood/behavior and energy cycles when you see the doctor. Good luck! Hang in there....it's a marathon, not a sprint.

Holly - posted on 04/06/2010

It's very difficult to know what is normal and what is bipolar. All I can say is trust your instincts and keep a journal because their is always a pattern. Don't let your child use the diagnosis as an excuse to act out. I have that problem with my 17 year old. We are still batteling, he just went off meds and had to be hospitalized again. I am trying to get him to be responsible for his disorder and moniter his moods I think maybe this time he might take his treatment more seriously. I have to watch him swallow his meds and keep him in the room for 30 min. cause he was throwing up his meds. We just started a new therapist and I hope he will open up and learn more about himself and what he can do to control his mood swings.
Good luck and if I can help in any way I will try. I definately have been threw alot of issues with my teen.

Lei - posted on 02/24/2010

I am not a teen mom. However, I have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder as well as some other things as a teenager. After many many years of medication changes and blood tests and feeling like a guinea pig I finally am stable on my medication for the most part. However, back in January of last year my 14 year old son was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, PTSD, Anxiety Disorder and Conduct Disorder. He attempted suicide twice and spent 8 months in a residential treatment facility. I would be lying if I said it's all gravy because it's not. He still has violent episodes on occasion or just the disrespectful way he talks and treats me. I agree, it's really hard to know what is normal teenage behavior and what is their illness. I found an excellent website http://www.dbsalliance.org and it has an abundance of information. If there is anything I can do don't hesitate to let me know.Good luck and stay strong. You are the only true advocate your child has