I would like to hear the answer to that. I hear that some say that their children are aggressive but how can one know if it isn't from too much sugar instead?

My son was just diagnosed bipolar.
This is what his life is like before the new medicine:
He goes into rages unprovoked, and has to be physically restrained.
He is never happy he is either going through the motions or in a rage.
Everything is available for destruction.
He constantly tells me how he hates his life, he never smiles, never enjoys life, and has more anger and depression than anyone I have ever met. His mood swings are severe, usually 3 or 4 times a day. He has periods of stability (as close as we can get). Stable for him is when he isnt being restrained, isn't angry all the time, and isn't destroying everything in his path. He gets into these moments where he is giddy ( for lack of better term). This is just my observations based on how my son is and assuming his diagnosis is correct.
On the medication:
He doesn't rage to the full extent of his capability, most items are safe from destruction, and he just goes through the motions. I don't think my son will ever be fully happy.
To the question about sugar:
My son is not allowed to have chocolates or caffeine. I watch his diet closely as it was suggested that allergies might be causing the behavior, but have found this not to be the case.

Thank you. That must be very difficult to watch and live with.

I think it varies depending on the type of bipolar i.e., I, II, etc. My daughter was recently dx'd bipolar NOS after her third hospitalization. She has more major depressive episodes than manic. She was initially dx'd with major depressive disorder. Her mania is sometimes in the form of giddy happiness and at other times in the form of anger. She is more of a danger to herself than others though. She doesn't break things but does cut herself and is often sucicidal. She is currently in the hospital for fourth time as of this Saturday.

It is also common for children with bipolar to have hallucinations and nightmares or night terrors(my daughter hears voices and suffers from violent recurring nightmares). It is not uncommon for bipolar children to be dx'd with ADHD and ODD at an early age (again my daughter was dx'd with ADHD at 7). So far it is unclear to me if she actually has comorbid ADHD or if the symptoms that led to that dx were actually the bipolar. We never treated her for the ADHD because it never affected her academic abilities. Up until the middle of last year she had always been an honor roll student in advance placement classes.

debster my sons diagnosis is bipolar nos also. I agree with the night terrors.
The last time my son went into one of his rages, he was pulling his hair, and hitting the side of his head but that was the first time he had ever done anything like that. My son was also diagnosed ADHD/ODD/IED. When they changed the diagnosis they changed it to bipolar nos/ADHD/IED. Sometimes i'm not sure even the doctors know what it is.
Do you ever get the feeling they label the child just to put a label on what they don't understand?

Absolutely!! I keep waiting to see what they come up with next. So far it's been ADHD, Major Depressive Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Anxiety Disorder (NOS) and Bipolar (NOS).

Every time they change it I frantically research everything I can find on the current dx!!

I am pretty sure that the bipolar diagnosis is the right one but I am now waiting for them to change it to schizophrenia or something because she is having auditory hallucinations (sigh). The Dr. actually told me yesterday that she didn't think she was hearing voices. The funny thing is that my daughter didn't tell her about the voices it was on her admission paperwork and the Dr. never even talked to her about it!!

She also occasionally smells things that nobody else can smell. Both of these symptoms, from what I have read, are common in childhood bipolar, so I'm not sure why the doc is reluctant to believe her.

I know what you are saying. I am currently researching pediatric bipolar disorder. I just finished the book "The Bipolar Child" and am on every website I can find.
I am taking my son for psychological testing next week to see if they can help me as i have heard this is the best way to go.
I understand what you are saying about the doctors too. They drive me crazy with one doctor saying one thing in inpatient, and another in outpatient saying something else. Poor kids no wonder they have such a hard time!

How did you like the book. Another member of DS recommended it to me the other day and I put hold on it at the library but haven't gone to pick it up yet. She said it is great.

It gives a lot of information as far as how the children are at a young age, and as they continue to grow, gives information on the medication, and the different types of bipolar (although it didn't really go into the bipolar nos). I really didn't find it informative as far as helping me understand my son or better ways to deal with him. It might be beneficial to you, and it can't hurt to read it. I am going to try the book "survival strategies for parents of bipolar children". I have heard that is a good book also.

I started a journal last night on his fits. when they happen what causes them and the things he does and says while he in his rages..

My brother was 7 when he was diagnosed with bipolar. Really the best way to discribe Josh back then is Dr Jykle and Mr Hyde. It was like a lightswitch with him. His moods could be set off by something as simple as looking in his direction. He was a very very rapid cycler. Josh would be violent for hours and hours with no end in sight. His eyes would glaze over and when the episode was finally over, he would fall asleep for a couple hours and then wake up and remember very little about what he had done. I remember times when my brother had hit my mom so hard that she had bruised ribs and bruises all over her arms. My brother wouldn't know how she had gotten so beat up. Then he would cry and cry saying sorry over and over. But in a hour or two it could very well all be happening again.

One thing I think is important to note is the unintended neglict of the siblings of kids with bipolar. I know that my parents did the best that they could when Josh and I were growing up, but there were definitly times when all the attention HAD to go to Josh. I remember feeling like I had done something wrong b/c everytime Josh became violent, I was sent to my room. Anyways I could go on with stories for hours but my point is to make sure you spend extra time with your other kids when it is possible. I would be happy to talk to anyone about my experiences with my brother anytime someone wants.

I would love to know what causes the eyes to glaze over, when they're in a rage. OMG that was the only time I had fear in my life, of what another person could/would do to me.

I was always on egg shells not to up set my X, cause his eyes would glaze over and I'd wanna pee myself in pure fear.

Of course the 1st time I seen it, I went psycho on me. I tried to leave the house, I made it outside. Then like a stalker in the night he'd grab me like a hostage and force me back in the house.

I was too scared to leave for 4 yrs. Till I said I am not gonna live like this anymore. He went into a rage then too. I told my oldest son to call the cops. He looked dead at my son and told him "If you do I will personaly break everyone one of your F-in fingers"

Clumsyjess, you are so right! I struggle with this every day. I constantly worry about how this is affecting my 10 year old son. He is such a sweet kid and never complains about anything but he is constantly being shuffled around to accommodate our daughter's many appointments, hospitalizations, etc. We try very hard to do things with him and for him to let him know he is not forgotten but sometimes I still feel like it's not enough.

I am not sure what causes the eyes to glaze over but once it happens there is no control. Its like no one is home in there.

Deb- The best thing you can do is spend time with him when you can. I remember often times when I was a kid it was like we had two families. Josh couldn't go to things like my dance recitals b/c he couldn't handle the crowds or the long show, so my dad would stay home with him and my mom would go to the recital with me. Rarely would both my parents be able to come since no one would babysit my brother. When life is calm, make sure he knows that when your daughter goes into a rage and you send him out of the room its because of her, not b/c he did something wrong.