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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nobody666 09/21/2007

A FEW MONTHS AGO I HAD DESCRIBED SOME OF THE PROBLEMS MY SON REMMY WAS HAVING IN SCHOOL TO MY PDOC AND INSTEAD OF THE SAME OLD ADHD STUFF SHE CAME UP WITH HIM POSSIBLY BEING BP. HAS ANYONE ELSE HEARD OF TREATMENT FOR KIDS OR EVEN DIAGNOSIS?

deleted_user 09/21/2007

My son was 7 when he was dx. That was 13 years ago. But...he was symptomatic and we were shoved from place to place for 5 years before dx.

Check out www.bpkids.org Excellent site. Also, if you're looking for a book, The Bipolar Child is still the best out there, IMO. I only wish these materials were available when my son was first dx.

It's only been since the early 90's that bipolar has been dx in kids younger than 16. Before that, they thought it "magically" showed up on the 16th birthday. lol

Also, kids have a much more difficult cycle than adults and spend much of thier time in mixed cycles. Obviously, with kids too there are varying degrees but it's a tough one to be sure.

I'm happy to talk with you about it if you want. BTW, Josh is 20 now, and very stable and doing well. That's always the upshot of all my doom and gloom about pediatric bipolar.

starfish 09/21/2007

don't be afraid of it if it happens to be right...it could very well save his life.

I lost my oldest son at 24 1/2 yrs old, and he was never diagnosed.

deleted_user 09/21/2007

OH, my. Starfish, I hurt for you.

Nobody, I think that's a neat thing, that your pdoc would give that a possibility. My doctors would not with my son; my sister's 15-year-old is just now being treated for possible BP, as he has been dx'd with ADHD for years and his meds helped, but not entirely.

nobody666 09/21/2007

I JUST DON'T SUPPORT THE ADHD BS IT JUST SEEMS LIKE AN EASY WAY TO GET AROUND A CHALLANGEING KID. BUT IF HE IS BP THEN I CAN RELATE TO HIM NEEDING MORE HELP TO CONTROL

starfish 09/21/2007

here are a few useful sounding websites I found when I googled "bipolar disorder" Try it yourself, too, if these don't answer any of your questions. Webmd is usually a good source of medical info.

www.Webmd.com

www.bipolar.about.com

www.bphope.com

www.managingbipolar.com

www.RevolutionHealth.com

Hope something here helps!!

deleted_user 09/21/2007

Starfish -- my heart goes out to you. That is my biggest fear with my son. And, even having had him dx so young, there were many attempts as a child. His first was when he was only 6 1/2, before we finally got him help. It's a long and difficult road to be sure, but Early dx and Early treatment = best possible prognosis.

My son was said to be one of the most ill in the state Department of Mental Health system. But, after 18 hospitalizaions, 2 residential treatment placements, and a crapload of meds, treatment providers and advocacy on my part up the ying ying, he graduated from high school with high honors, worked summers and school vacations at the local school system doing computer tech work and is now working with the state rehab commission to try to get employment/schooling needed to work towards his journeyman electrician license. This was a kid "they" said would be fully debilitated as an adult and would never live outside of supported housing... Bull...

Know in your heart who you're kid is and fight like hell for that little one....it'll be a tough road, but it'll pay in the end.

deleted_user 09/21/2007

Just noticed I didn't split that up... sorry it looks confusing.... most of that message is for nobody666 Sorry.

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