Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
My son is 5 years old, and was hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital for 11 days over the summer. He got dx'd w/ ADHD, mood disorder and ODD.
Honestly, the ADHD dx is just to cover their asses. What child with issues doesn't get dx'd with ADD or ADHD? So the pdoc continued to treat him with all of these stimulant meds. Today the pdoc finally agreed that my son is, indeed, having paranoid delusions and hallucinations.
MY 5 YEAR OLD IS HAVING HALLUCINATIONS B/C OF THE MEDS THEY PRESCRIBED TO HIM!!
I was feeling like shit b/c of adjusting to my own meds...but now I don't even notice them b/c everytime my poor son mentions that some bad guy is near him with a gun, he really thinks it's happening. F'ing pdocs. They don't have a clue what they're doing.
Honestly, the ADHD dx is just to cover their asses. What child with issues doesn't get dx'd with ADD or ADHD? So the pdoc continued to treat him with all of these stimulant meds. Today the pdoc finally agreed that my son is, indeed, having paranoid delusions and hallucinations.
MY 5 YEAR OLD IS HAVING HALLUCINATIONS B/C OF THE MEDS THEY PRESCRIBED TO HIM!!
I was feeling like shit b/c of adjusting to my own meds...but now I don't even notice them b/c everytime my poor son mentions that some bad guy is near him with a gun, he really thinks it's happening. F'ing pdocs. They don't have a clue what they're doing.
I know you are upset and usually as mothers we know in our heart what we are seeing. If you feel this strongly about it, challenge them until they hear you. It is your right and you are his advocate. However, let me tell you that I have sons with ADHD and they had very agressive behavior and hallucinations. I refused to medicate them that young and I am glad I did. But, I am not in your situation and I do not know what exactly you are dealing with. Also, remember, that if he is dianosed with Bipolar disorder there are things in life he will never be allowed to do. So it is best to be sure before giving him that classification. They can treat him without the actual diagnosis because many drugs can be used to treat the symptoms and not a specific disorder. Because of my youngest sons diagnosis, he can NEVER be a Marine like he so desperately wants to be.
You are in my heart because I do understand the frustration and desperation of just not knowing what the hell to do. Hugs
They should of looked at him as a 5 year old boy first then possible dx
hugs
The good thing about the stimulants (methylphenidate/ritalin and amphetamine/aderral, is that they are very fast acting and are out of the system very fast. You know within 30 minutes to an hour whether they are helping and they are largely out of the system in less than a day - depending upon the formulation.
So if he is still having problems and he is no longer on the stimulants, then there is something else going on - imho.