anyone with a teen with bipolar disorder???

DAWN - posted on 02/28/2012

hi would love to speak with sum1 too. i have a 14yr old daughter with bipolar. i need sum1 to speak with we r strugglin....

Kimberly - posted on 05/19/2009

I have 3 sons with bipolar, one is 24 the other is 18 and the third is 13. We have fought with schools and doctors. We have done the hospital thing ,home therapy,we have made safe rooms and probably tried almost every med out there one time or another. All I can tell you is there is a light at the end of the tunnel.My one son is graduated and working the other son who was the worst out of all three is graduating next week. We never thought they would be where they are .Just be persistent and never give up .You are the only advocate your child has

Shannon - posted on 05/18/2009

My son is 13 almost 14. He was diagnosed as bipolar when he was 9. He too suffers from disorganized thoughts and feeling scatter brained. Be thankful that she is capable of keeping her grades up. My son has a very hard time with his school work. He cant always keep his mind focused and he gets discouraged when he doesn't understand.

The other thing I would like to know is, the other things that she doesnt really seem to care about, are they really all that important? Will it harm her not to care so much about them? You didn't really say what they were. The reason I am asking is because these kids can get overwhelmed so easily. Its better to just focus on the most important issues and to just let the other things slide by.

As far as does this mean she has ADD its hard to say. It is possible. But bipolar disorder can also cause these same symptoms. Take it up with your dr.

Karen - posted on 02/18/2009

SOUNDS SO FAMILIAR. HAVE A 20YEAR OLD WITH BIPOLAR (WITH A BORDERLINE PERSONALITY)

Brenda - posted on 01/14/2009

Kym, my son had those same symtoms where I thought that he had multiple personalities and ended up going into suicidal/homicidal thoughts. It was becuase he was under extream stress. I had to get him on to Risperdone (start on low dose .50mg and work up slowly. This med is one that you can give them if they are in an episode and it will have quick results to bring them out of it the fastest. It does make them very sleepy and will probably have to sleep around 12 hours. Unfortunatly, the phychotic meds all have these side effects and it sad that these kids don't have many other options. You could try Abilify for a everyday med may not make so sleepy but everyone is different. to get him out of those symptoms. I would put her on meds becuase they can do some pretty scary things. Watch, the best you can Bipolar's can become very hyper-sexual and may be showing this is the way they dress, talk or obsess over. If you don't get her the correct meds she will try (if she hasn't already) to self medicate with street drugs. Try and have an understanding with her that she can tell you how she is feeling without you getting upset with her. It's shocking what they come out and say but you can ask question to see if there is a classmate or teacher that is stressing her out or they just clash which cause extream stress for her which will cause episodes. Try and keep structure at home and routine on a day to day basis and it can make them feel safer. When she has anger or rage at home with you its because she may have been trying super hard to keep it together during her school day and it's safe at home with you to lose it. I know it seems so unfair for the family life but these kids are trying really hard and need to release somewhere where they feel safe. Please don't take what she says in these anger episode personally because she really dosen't mean it as a personal attack. You have to remind yourself that its the mental illness. And it will help you with your mental stability.(Believe me, I Know!!) It takes alot to keep track of them in High School and they are so sensitive to all aspects of their lives it makes it hard for us parents. I had trouble with my son smoking at school or just up and leaving campus when ever he wanted, I was so at my wits end I told his counselor and she actually told me that I should let him smoke cigerettes because its a calming thing for them. I had a very hard time with this but still never allowed it in my home and did not allow it at an excuse to just up and leave school either. I just said I better not know about it. So, heads up on some of the things to look for.

Brenda - posted on 01/14/2009

Erica, my son is 18 yrs old and we have lived through it all. (at least it feels like it) From what I have learned is that BiPolar carries alot of the same symptoms as ADD/ADHD. Is she on meds? If she is it can be the meds cause some of those symptoms too. The scary thing is that if you go to your doctor about the ADD symptoms don't let them give her any ADD meds like Adderrall (stimulants) becuase it can cause them go into a phychotic episoid/break. If you really wanted to try an ADD med make sure that it is not a stimulant but keep a close watch. They did try Abilify on my son which didn't work for him but everyone is different. You might ask her if she seems overly stressed when she tells you she is feeling these symptoms, becuase Bipolar children are very sensitive to stress.

Kristen - posted on 01/13/2009

My 12 year old daughther was diagnosed bipolar/ adhd about 5 years. It's been about 2 years since we had to hospitalize her & we were able to mainstream her this year. We still have fits and manic episodes, but she is functioning well and even made honor roll this past trimester.

Kym - posted on 01/13/2009

My daughter is 14.5 years old. She was just recently diagnosed as bipolar. I have been pulling my own hair out for the past 2 years trying to deal with her and thinking that she has multiple personality disorder or something worse. She, as well, is a perfectionist in some areas of her life, while other areas she could care less about. I have seen her go from happy to anger to sad to unknown with-in momonts, days or weeks. I am unsure of what step to take next as I am unsure of putting her an medications. She has majot problems concentrating at times, focusing, etc. She goes into rage fits at times as well. I do not have internet, but frequent my mouther's home to check E-mails, etc.