Summer Cycles
Most people look forward to summer. I have mixed feelings. I love the warmth, my garden and the beach, but the symptoms that accompany the season have been a high price to pay.
Transitions, unstructured time, boredom and long, sun-lit days always spelled trouble at my house. This is a bad combination for a kid with bipolar disorder and ADHD. The last few weeks of summer were especially stressful, as my daughter’s agitation and anxiety grew.
I noticed this problem acutely the summer before my daughter went to middle school. It’s a big transition for anyone, but it felt overwhelming to her. She was far more impulsive, irritable and anxious than usual. At the time, I didn’t know what was wrong. As she got older and was diagnosed, we both learned to brace for July and August, and to anticipate creeping mania. She’s now 20, and it’s still a problem.
When my daughter was younger, I looked for support—from friends who could take my daughter for awhile, to give me and the other kids a break—and tried to keep our home environment quiet, predictable and peaceful. It was a challenge! I was one of those moms who hung on by my fingernails until the first day of school, and then collapsed.
Have you experienced summer cycles? What works at your house? Let’s pool our experiences and ideas to help other The Balanced Mind Foundation families make it though the last days of the season!
Jean - I too experienced all those things (although my son does not have ADHD, which surely complicates matters in ways I couldn't understand). I've found that as my son has grown older (he's 17 now), getting a job has really made a difference for him. That alone, even though it might only be 2-3 days a week for a few hours on those days, gives him some structure with overall benefits. The biggest challenge has been keeping him away from video games like Call Of Duty, which have the potential to fill up too many lazy hours and make him overly aggressive and competitive. Again though, with this age comes a teeny bit of wisdom on his part - he recognizes this in himself and has been able to stay away from those things. Nonetheless, school starts this week and I am SO GLAD!
Work is rewarding on many levels--it makes our kids feel able and appreciated, and it pays! I also agree about the video games, and am glad to hear that your son is self-aware about their impact. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Jean
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Jean Meister
I have 4 children, ages 11, 9, 7, 5. Three of them are currently being treated for depression/anxiety with medication and therapy. They all began showing signs of depression around preschool and kindergarten. There is a history of depression/anxiety in my family and my husband's.
The two boys, ages 11, and 9 have responded well to the medication and therapy. Symptoms of crying easily, sad moods, anxiety about going to school or extra curricular activities have subsided and they both are doing well as they enter this new school year.
My daughter, however, who is 7 doesn't seem to be responding as well. Her symptoms were more extreme than were the boys. Her level of anxiety was so severe that I could not get her on the school bus, or out of the van to go to girl scouts last fall. Temper tantrums were frequent with throwing things, hitting siblings, and crying excessively, with fits of anger. Once medication was started, the agressive behavior did reduce and she began to show affection again and was more pleasant. But when the symptoms continued enough to still be disruptive to our daily lives, the dose was increased for her medicine. Again, it seemed to improve her temper tantrums, and anxiety as she goes to school easily and to other events with no problems.
But I am still concerned that something 'just doesn't seem right'. She gets aggitated very easily and hits her younger sister and brothers. She lies all the time. She can be in a good mood at times, but then she can get so angry and mean. My concern is that I do not know if she was diagnosed correctly. How do you determine if the behaviors are part of the illness or a side effect of the medication. I have scheduled visits with several new psychiatrists to get new evaluations and possibly a different therapist. I welcome feedback and guidance as anyone may be able to provide. Thanks
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Olga J. Blouch
Jean, thanks for your explanation about summer cycles. Now that I think about it my daughter did become more aggitated over the summer and I could not understand why. I think my daughter experiences the summer cycles you are talking about and possibly could be bipolar. She does well in school, but come summer, with the unscheduled days, she was much more anxious and irritable. She always needed a friend or her sister next to her or she would really 'act out'. I wonder if this is a way to handle her anxiety. I also feel such a sense of relief when school starts because the stress that her behavior puts on the other children is so overwhelming. How did they make an accurate diagnosis for your daughter?
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Olga J. Blouch
Hi, Olga --
I know exactly what you mean about the relief that school brings. Each fall, I felt like I had run a marathon and finally made it to the finish line! The race continues.
Unstructured time is hard for many children. I think you are wise to seek additional evaluations with a new psychiatrist and therapist. A second opinion is always a good idea, and it can take a few tries to find a good fit.
My daughter was diagnosed at age 15, after a clear episode of mania that included pressured speech, grandiosity, frantic activity and sleeplessness. Mania remains a criteria for a bipolar diagnosis in children and adults.
Best wishes to you --
Jean
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Jean Meister
This blog has been very helpful! My 15 year old daughter was diagnosed with Bipolar last June. She also has ADHD, OCD and a Social Disorder. We seem to have found the right mix of medications. Family counseling has also played a huge part in her treatment.
The last 3 weeks of summer are always difficult because the anxiety builds. After she is in school for a couple of days it gets better.
I'm so glad that our blogs have helped you. I hope your daughter--and your family--have a peaceful year!
Best,
Jean
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Jean Meister