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.

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HannaHana 09/08/2008

My 5 year old son is a beeper (no, not funny)... but he does some of the strangest things. I don't know whether it's a 5 year old beeper thing, OCD, or just a 5 year old.

He has been taking diapers out of my baby nephew's pack, putting them in the trash can in the bathroom and urinating in the diapers... he definitely knows he not allowed to do this b/c he hides it/ won't admit to it.

Also, when he has to poop, he strips himself completely, and literally perches (one foot on side of the seat, one foot on the other) to go. He says he does this so that the water doesn't splash him and doesn't get on his clothes.

It's hysterical to see, IMO, but at the same time, I wonder if it's going to be an issue.

What do you think? BP, OCD, or being 5?

HannaHana 09/08/2008

Oh yeah, this apparently fed me into believing I might have had OCD b/c I could smell it in the bathroom, and I thought I was just being a little crazy b/c I cleaned the hell out of it.

deleted_user 09/08/2008

I think that it may be a bit of OCD because it sounds like he doesent want to get dirty or get toilet water oh himself. But on the other hand when I was his age (and even now) I refuse to touch certain things. I wont touch a public doorhandle with my bare hands and when I go out to eat I ask for some boiling water with a tea bag on the side, but I never use it for tea I put the silverwear in it to sanitize. I dont have OCD but I do not want someone elses germs on me.

HannaHana 09/08/2008

He's the type of kid that makes mud pies and comes in head to toe covered in dirt. He just seems to have an issue w/ going to the bathroom.

deleted_user 09/08/2008

Well, while it is "funny behavior" I don't think there is anything pathological in it. It sounds like just being five. I know grown men who like to use the bathroom buck naked....It may however be an issue when he goes to school. I don't know about peeing in the diapers, but again, he's five and in his five year old brain, I'm sure he has a "logical" explanation if you can "catch him in the act" of doing it and gently confront him about it. I have a five year old and believe me I remember having a five year old boy in the house too. Sometimes they have weird toileting habits because developmentally they are most area of bodily functions from about age 2 1/2 to age 6. This is when modest develops as well as other little bathroom quirks.

deleted_user 09/08/2008

ugggh I can't type this morning...that is most "aware" of bodily functions

HannaHana 09/08/2008

I know he was spoken to by his teacher in pre-K. That he wasn't allowed to take his clothes off in the bathroom.

He won't admit to do anything that he knows is wrong, even if you see it with your own eyes... but he's got ODD too.

Eh, kids. Thanks for the replies.

deleted_user 09/08/2008

Hanna, I have taught children for over 12 years and the naked thing I have seen many times. 5 year old thing.

I taught in the home. I taught children with special needs, however I have seen their siblings do the same thing. Not sure why, but we just had to teach them not to do it in school.

The peeing in the diaper, do you have a consequence for him if he does it. Not sure why he does it. But, there is always a reason for a behavior. Does he pee in the toilet? Maybe something happened and he feels more comfortable doing it in the diaper.

You could really reinforce peeing in toilet and then hopefully that will take away the urge to pee in the diaper. Just my Opinion. hugs

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