Child with Pediatric Bipolar

Wendy - posted on 11/26/2010

How about a mom who was diagnosised with it? I was left without any help from the medical community. I was diagnosised with it at age 31 but can remember having problems with it right back to when I was in kindergarten. The earlier you get help for this the better your child will have at developing coping skills. You need the patience of Jobe. Kids like this will often have odd eating habits that will change with their moods, weight issues, mood swings, wild imaginations and seeming to be oblivious to others emotions at times. You have a child that lives on the highs and lows of emotion. You and they can live as if it's a disease that can't be cured or you can live with a highly creative child that needs a stable routine to live by. I am a high functioning type 2 bipolar person. But remember your child is just that your child and not a disorder in a child. Your child hasn't changed since the label has been put on them and all they want is unconditional love. Bipolar effects people differently and as time goes on other disorders will appear. But if they have a stable family to fall back on they can take on the world. Many famous artists including Axel Rose, Cher and more live with this "disorder". As a parent my best recommendation is "feel" out your child for their "true" strengths and then encourage that. Behaviour issues are harder as "we" the person with the disorder must learn to become aware of others around us. You can help by reminding your child, but understand anger and frustration don't enforce these things for us, so it's just wearing you down. Understand this is a chemical issue in the brain, it's internally physical and because of that many will pick up on the "odd" reactions and may even fear your child because they don't see a problem (no wheelchair, etc). I explain first it's a chemical malfunction in my brain and then tell them it's bipolar. This helps them accept me more and not label me as a "crazy". I'd recommend you do a google search on bi-polar disorder and have your child's exact diagnosis beside you, so that you can get more facts about treatments and therapies. This is a disorder that they are learning about quickly and are changing how they treat it as time goes on. I recommend you also talk to your child's doctors and if your child is old enough to understand talk to them. It's ultimately how they are feeling and how they will cope and how they will respond that will say if a treatment will help them. This disorder flows and ebbs like a river and sometimes there are rocky patches. My mother never tried to understand, your child is got something I didn't. You're on the right track.

Sheena - posted on 11/16/2010

Ann I already posted to your wall but I want to make sure other moms on here understand. I am not saying no child should be on the meds. I am saying mine are not to that place. My husband has BPD I see the need for the meds everyday. I am saying the school was pushing me cause they didn't want to deal with them. Mine has never been on meds and started having night terrors around 9 months. Unfortunately for our kids they got the short end of the gene pool stick. In my family is a long line of sleep disorders, night paralysis, night terrors, sleep walking. My hubby's family has those and bipolar on top of it. We are extremely lucky our oldest is the only one with bipolar. We have another child ,oldest daughter, who has managed to baffle the docs so far. She's just different. Our youngest has night terrors as well. The only thing for night terrors is anti psychotics I can't see putting those in a 9 month olds body or a two year olds body when that is their only symptom. When it reaches beyond that, which I'm sure it will. We will cross that bridge. Right now we are trying to teach him some control, which is difficult for any seven yr old but I would rather teach him coping techs now then worry about it when his symptoms get worse. I feel we are lucky that his is managable without meds at this point. But I honestly don't know how long that will last. His megalomania, and outbursts are gradually getting worse. Right now it comes across has arrogance and bossiness to outsiders. He's big for his age too. His boyscout troop is actually two grades above him because their was an autistic friend who needed a buddy for soothing and modeling purposes. He at two years younger is the tallest. Lots of people expect more out of him than most seven year olds cause they mistake his age. This stresses him out. He is very critical of himself. So is his father. I am assuming this is a BP thing combined with genetics. So please understand I am not saying meds are bad how dare you. I am dealing with three bipolars (my mil too) and an autistic like child along with homeschooling. I know the challenges I was trying to say that sometimes lucky few like me and mine can hold off longer on the meds and that schools would rather force you than deal with specific issues. A lot of this has to do with my cruddy school district.

Ann - posted on 11/16/2010

For a long time I thought ADHD, and these other things were the Diagnosis 'du 'jour.... and the same as Michelle. I was a psych nurse and "knew it all". Then my son was diagnosed with ADHD, LD, and bipolar disorder. Clinically, I could see it. Fortunately he had a loving teacher who approached me first, and showed me what she observed. My son hanging at the edges of the play ground talking to himself, no one would play with h im. How far he had fallen behind his peers in his fine and gross motor abilities. How he couldn't pay attention. I could go on and on. My husband didn't want to believe it. So we went through the usual battery of tests. Xrays, blood, CT's, MRI's, and Psych. Everything. Michelle, do you think that was easy? Do you think it's easy to make the decision to give your child medication? We agonized. When our son was little we jokingly called him "wildman", Now it wasn't a joke.
We had to give him the medication to give him a chance to quiet his thoughts to learn. Then the bipolar symptoms arose, and we had the night terrors to deal with, more medication. No, the Ritalin didn't cause the night terrors. I actually secretly took him off the Ritalin to see if that what the reason........ nope. The night terrors got worse. What it was is that his brain just doesn't shut off.
I quit my carreer. I advocated for my son. I spent hours and hours doing homework with him, running behavior programs for him. Getting involved CHADD. And teaching him to deal with others, and others to deal withi him. I could go on. The mediicine doesn't do it all michelle. And you haven't gone through this! How dare you judge us? It's not like we throw a bunch of pills at our children and they are "fixed" We work hard at helping them, guiding them, and we love them.

Sheena - posted on 11/11/2010

This is exactly what the school told me. They were unteachable. Insisted I put them on meds. Mine do NOT need meds. They are not uncontrollable, they are just daydreamers, and sensitive. I homeschool them now and they are so much farther ahead than their counterparts in public. Because I can teach them in a way that interests them and keeps their attention. I can give them the breaks or the stimulation. I can teach them how to deal with situations instead of sittin them in a corner and saying they aren't normal we don't have time for them.

Sheena - posted on 11/11/2010

I have been super busy and just found this post. But I sent you a message.

Grandma Linda - posted on 11/10/2010

Well mine hasn't been diagnosed but he sure does have mood swings! He will get mad and head bang into the wall or doors and sometimes even hit me when he is in a bad mood!

Heather - posted on 11/10/2010

I haven't read through all the posts, but just wanted to mention a couple things. My 11 yr old was DX'd at age 4 w/ BPD and ADHD. (which I found out a few yrs ago is a common MIS diagnosis for Asperger's syndrome) Something to think about. We have a strong family history of BPD, my brother and father are both Bi-Polar. My son's father and grandmother suffer from depression, that really looks like BPD w/ the cycles they go through. My son has been on many "cocktails" of meds.. yes starting at that young age of 3 (prior to DX) and I've taken him totally off meds twice. The school has a FIT b/c he can't "focus" when he's not on meds. But he does better mentally/emotionally at some points, withOUT the meds. We have had principals tell us "we will not do ANYthing extra to teach him, until he's on medications" So that made me keep him off of them even longer. To prove to them, that they HAVE to take care of his needs. It taught me to advocate extra hard for them, and look into the laws regarding what THEIR part is in his education. www.wrightslaw.com (or .org) ? is a tremendous resource for special needs laws/advocacy within the schools, in different states. I've learned to make sure my child's needs are met at school, with or without meds. The meds decision is between my son's doctor, and myself. NOT a decision a school should be making! Also, my son does NOT get homework. He has a hard enough time holding it tgether during school most days, THEY should be happy with that. If he's struggling all evening to accomplish 5 homework questions out of 50 (or however many "busy work" problems they assign) they his behavior and stress at school the next day are worse. Home is a time for a break from the hard stuff. I put NO HOMEWORK into his IEP, and that they legally have to follow! Now when he's having a good day after school, then we do our own homework. We read, we do science experiments, and that gets him to write/journal When it's something HE'S interested in, and not "busy work" or things he's struggling with, then he can do it. That's based on MY judgement as to how well he's handling that day. Busy work/homework sent home will do nothing to help him in his life. Watching his diet neurotically has helped. It took several years of food diary to figure out which foods give him an adverse reaction. (red dyes make him angry, corn products make him hyper, low blood sugar gets him depressed) So watching his diet, and controlling his environment as much as I possibly can, avoiding things that "set him off", and then preparing him for situations that CAN and WILL set him off, so he can learn how to cope with them. Those things work better than most meds. It's not that the meds don't work for him, but the side effects are terrible on him, and at some points in his life, just not worth it, to put him through. We've had to switch schools several times. We've had bully teachers. We've had incompetent teachers, and we've had awesome teachers. We've had principals who don't think they should have to do anything to take care of his needs. Learn your rights, and fight for them. We did have to homeschool for a couple years as well. That was the BEST thing for him, but too hard on me w/ a toddler and a baby, and then two other children to homeschool. He needed one on one.
Occupational Therapy helps TREMENDOUSLY for us as well! One of the best "therapies" for my son when he's feeling full of steam/anger/rage.... DIGGING A HOLE in the backyard! LOL! Somedays I think he's going to dig to china! ALso raking leaves, shoveling snow, pulling a heavy wagon. Carrying heavy boxes. And push-ups or pull-ups. Those are all things that help stabilize his moods. Educate yourself. Go to teacher/therapist training conferences. I've traveled to other states to attend conferences if the content was something I thought would/could help me be a better parent, and learn more about my child. The most valuable part about that is speaking one on one w/ the presenters to ask specifc questions pertaining to YOUR child. If you can't afford to attend conferences, or travel, there are usually grants available. Or your school district can pay for it, through your IEP.

I sure wish parenting came with a handbook, but apparenty we have to write our own!

Jeanine - posted on 11/09/2010

Katie - I understand much of your frustration and I am so sorry to hear about your son. I am not sure what an ARD is, but most likely the same as an IEP here in CA. I too attempted homeschooling. I am actually a credentialed teacher with a Master's in Education here in CA, but it didn't work for us either. I know many people who have success with homeschooling, but I believe adding special needs into the equation only makes that job more difficult. I wanted to also respond to a post above from Stephanie. My daughter is similar to your son in that she is 9 but acts much younger than her age. Academically she is clearly behind, but her personality is like a kindergarten kid. She enjoys all of the activities that a 5 year old would. It is both sad and frustrating. I must say, however, since we have FINALLY found a treatment that works for her (it has taken years), I am definitely noticing her growing up. It gives me hope and I hope it gives you hope too.

Katie - posted on 11/08/2010

We are definitely having issues at school. My son, Josh, just turned 10 yesterday. He was diagnosed when he was 5 after many incidents (and strong family history). He is now in 4th grade and has had a relatively easy time with school until this year. Since school began in August, he has forgotten homework so many times, and when he does do it, it takes hours because there's tears and frustration and lots of "I'm stupid" or "I can't do this...I don't know how". He is a major people pleaser and hates to disappoint anyone, therefore he constantly seeks approval to see if his work is right - so much that he has to ask if his answer is right after every single one. He relies on his teacher way too much and it's very distracting. We had one ARD about 6 weeks ago and the school psychologist went over things with his gen.ed. teacher, his CM teacher, counselor, etc.that Josh appears to have executive functioning issues. It's like his brain gets stuck at a certain point in problem solving and he can't get past it. He's very smart, but this is making it so that he hates going to school. We met with the ARD committee last week (not an actual ARD, but more of a "brainstorming" meeting - the formal ARD is next week) and they suggested that we conduct a BRIEF (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning) because Josh seems to be lacking in this department big time. The school psychologist mentioned that although bipolar disorder/ADHD is a neurological disorder, that Josh is very charming and manipulative enough (my husband and I agree totally) that it's a fine line between "I can't do it" and "I won't do it". The ARD committee mentioned that we will be accessing more of the special education services now that he truly seems to need it (he was entered under OHI - "Other Health Impaired" when he began school). Sigh...

I have considered the homeschool route and then I just laughed at myself so hard that I started crying. Then I really began crying hard, because I know that I am not capable of doing it. I am bipolar too...and although I can relate to my son and we are close, we can be bitter enemies as well. We are cut from the same cloth in many ways - except that I excelled in school and had none of the problems he is having. I have an older son, who will be 13 in March who has Asperger's Syndrome. He attends a WONDERFUL private school for children with learning differences. He is in the 7th grade and this is his 3rd year there. It has done wonders for him academically and socially - a true blessing. I would love to get my youngest in there for 5th grade next year, but the cost will be high. I know that could truly benefit from the structure from this school. I just wish that there were private school vouchers...maybe one day.

Josh is now in a depression. We saw his therapist today and she has noted (along with my husband and I) that Josh has become withdrawn and tends to isolate. His moods seemed to rise a bit Saturday and yesterday because of his birthday, but as soon as the excitement wore off, back down he went. He's moody, extremely sensitive, has no interest in anything, his separation anxiety from me has increased, and he just wants to stay at home all the time. He is currently on Concerta for his ADHD (which does great with focus) and Risperdal (.5mg AM/ .5mg @ noon/ 1.0 mg at bedtime) and Melatonin to help with sleep. His psychologist thinks it's time to add a small dose of antidepressant especially now since she saw him zone off and his eyes glaze over while in his session. I know that since he is now 10, that he is on the cusp of puberty and that this could be a reason for his mood to be all over the place, but this is the longest I have ever seen him down. Luckily he has no thoughts or expressed anything about not wanting to live, etc.

So, that's my story so far...

Stephanie - posted on 11/06/2010

My son has adhd, bioplaor, and emotional disorder. He is now 9 but its like hes in the body of a six yr old. emotinally hes only like 3. It gets really hard sometimes. I have to other children younger then him, and it shocks me every day how they are growing and learning. I feel bad because he falls behind them , but is older. If you want to talk let me know im here.

Michelle - posted on 11/05/2010

you know i have to say it sickens me to see all of you parents putting these YOUNG YOUNG children on medications that will alter your childs personality and growth in mental development. My mother had me diagnosed with adhd borderline personality and opositional defiant disorder by the time i was 7. I was on every different psych med you can think of from ritalin to cylert, strattera etc. It made me loose so much weight i was rail thin by the time i was in high school people would look at me and think i was dying. Im not saying i don't believe kids can have behavior issues at all. Infact i have since been diagnosed with bipolar. I have been on meds since i was 7 on and off for many years with constant suicide attempts and anger and frustation. I felt alone like no one else was like me and the meds had bad side effects which made me so sick and no one cared they just wanted me on meds no matter what. I think you need to listen to what your child is telling you if he says he feels like he is going to throw up all day then you should listen and take him off that med and try a new one don't make your child suffer with awful side effects so you can get a break. Also take your child to more then one doctor to get a real diagnosis take em to 5 if neccisary. But definately get more then one opinion and before you consider meds try everything else first like behavior therapy and counseling. And if you do try meds be mindful that there are side effects and many are awful. By the time i was diagnosed as bipolar i had done tons of meds and tried to kill myself countless number of times. Its not an easy thing to live with, and you should have understanding for you child they aren't being defianant or miserable because they hate you its just in their make up. I am going to be 27 this month and i have an 18mo son i have been on meds for most of my life, but for the past 4 years or so with the same doctor have finally found what works for me and that was years of trial and error. Right now i am on prestiq for depression seroqel for sleep lamictal for mood stabilizer and this combination seems to be working well for me. It is important to never loose faith also just because your child has been diagnosed early doesn't mean there is a bright meaningful future ahead... Just please listen to your child when they tell you of side effects and don't keep them on a med because it seems to be working well but is making them miserable i had to endure years of this and it was hell

Andrea - posted on 11/04/2010

frustrating does not begin to describe things

Marcia - posted on 11/04/2010

I'm raising my grandson who has a genetic disorder.He is 7 yrs old. Last year he was in Special Ed kindergarten but he did so well they placed him in regular kindergarten class this year and he's able to keep up with the other kids. He is on Ritalin for ADHD and Risperidol and Zoloft for his outbursts. He would have meltdowns if he got frustrated, which he would easily and frequently. The Risperidol helped a lot and we recently added the Zoloft. Risperidol has a risk of some nasty side effects and we didn't want to increase the dosage so the Zoloft was added. He has grown since we started the Risperidol, which is why the Zoloft was needed.

Amy - posted on 11/04/2010

That is where we are right now. Try this....then a side effect, try that....it doesn't work, etc. Frustrating!

Amy - posted on 11/04/2010

Jeanine, thank you for the encouragement.

Andrea - posted on 11/03/2010

my son 11 was diagnosed last year. Right now we are on the medication merry-go-round trying to find something to help I am available anytime to help or a shoulder to cry on. It is a very difficult process.

Anita - posted on 11/03/2010

WE do not have a formal diagnosis for my adopted 6 yr old daughter yet, But they suspect this . It is comforting to know that we are not the only ones. My daughter is very bright, but the emotional breakdowns, and defiance is very difficult to deal with. WE have been told that because of her drug and alcohol exposure, it is more difficult for them to diagnosis.

Elizabeth - posted on 11/03/2010

Stephanie-Does your son have an IEP? What kinds of issues is he having in school? and home? Maybe if we have more info we could help you with some of the struggles he is having.

Elizabeth - posted on 11/03/2010

Jeanine-I have talked with the school about the homework issues. My son's main problem is that he has a hard time with handwriting. He does not have the fine motor skills to hold the pencil right so it makes it harder on him. The school has been willing to work with us on this issue but right now they have decided that if he does not finish his homework at home then he loses his recess to finish it. As he needs the social aspect of recess and the down-time from the day I feel that this is not in his best interest. I will be discussing this once again at our next IEP meeting as I am so tired of fighting with him over homework.

Stephanie - posted on 11/02/2010

I am a mother of a great little boy who has emotional disorder, adhd, as well as learning, and other health issues. It is very hard alot of the time to know exactly whats going on in his head. If you every want to talk, or have any questions im here. My son is 9yrs old and is really struggling in school and out.

Jeanine - posted on 11/02/2010

Amy, as time goes on you will learn to accept your daughter's issues. We have all been in your position and know how difficult it can be. Your daughter's situation will make everything in your life difficult -- things that you would never imagine to be a problem. But hang in there and know that you will be stronger as time goes on and you learn how to cope with all of this. Best to you

Jeanine - posted on 11/02/2010

I would suggest at your son's next IEP that you discuss the homework issue. I had a homework problem with my daughter as well, and they greatly reduced it. Last year she did not do any at all. She was not benefitting from it, so there was no point in having this huge stress every night.

Christina @ Nurlina Khairunnisa - posted on 11/02/2010

I'm an adult Bipolar disorder patient for 22 yrs now .. n as a child I was not diagnosed as such... n live a normal childhood..but as an adult.. there are its pros n cons...Anyway a piece of advice there is no proper cure for the mentally sick...but 6 imprtant factors will ensure you to live with a healthy life...1. medicines- take them as prescribed by docs. 2. You.. the patient itself..hw is he n she willing to fight this illness and make a go to live with it. 3. A loving family and close knit one who understands patient n their sensitivity to many things....4. Your neighbours n immediate surroundings..are the folks near your hse acceptable to having a patient around..hw they live with u as their neighbour.. if it is a condusive environment..patient will grow out of it ..if not move out....5. Your working environment.... I work as a teacher.. n am agood one too.. am able to perform my duties well with other teachers,administrators..n workers. One day your child will enter the world of an adult.. teach him all the important living skills so that he is able to live independantly...like me no one expect me to have the drive to carry on living with this illness... 6..Have to make sure you have vy good Hospital contacts... always do not miss out on follow-ups n standby a few tel no of nurses,matrons,attendance,your psychiatrist phone no as standby.. n have a good relationship with them.. they will make you feel better n better.
And finally good luck to the many years of sorrow n ,pain, turmoils,mood swings only a bipolar patient can bring...

Elizabeth - posted on 11/02/2010

My son is on two different meds and is in a mainstream classroom. We have had some huge bumps in the road along the way though. In first grade the school my son was at was not willing to work with us at all and my son was suspended 5 times and finally ended up on homebound as he could not handle being in school and the school let him know they did not want him there. We moved after his first grade year and the school he is at now has been awesome. He does still have some outburst at school on rare occassions. No matter what comes up the school personnel have been there to help and to insure that he is going to school and learning. They also have made it a point to let him know they want him there. Thankfully my son has been stable for almost a year now. He does not have any learning disablities and is usually near the top of his class. We do however have problems with him not wanting to do his homework. I think homework is going to drive me nuts! I have no idea why he doesn't like doing homework but he doesn't. Since my son has been stable for a while we are now working on his social skills and emotions as he also has Asperger's and he does not understand emotions and his social skills are behind his peers.

Amy - posted on 11/02/2010

I think I fit the bill. My daughter has a mood disorder that has resulted in some psychosis. She is also autistic/MR. This is all a recent development. Sometimes very hard to accept!

Jeanine - posted on 11/01/2010

My daughter is stable, but has her moments. She is on three different meds. They have been a lifesaver. However, we do have to change dosage every now and then. She is in a Special Day class at our local public school. She has never had behavior issues at school - other than complete withdrawl & shyness. But she has numerous learning disabilities and is struggling about two grade behind. How about your son?

Elizabeth - posted on 11/01/2010

My son was dx'd with bipolar disorder nos when he was 4. Now he is 9 and has also been dx'd with Asperger's Syndrome. How old is your child? Is he/she stable?