3 year old recently diagnosed and we are really at a loss on what to do...help...
Our daughter, which just turned 3 in June has always been very difficult. She has never really been a happy child at all and we have been trying to get help with her for a year now, knowing that something was definately different with her. We finally had a neurophysiclogical eval done recently and she was diagnosed with a behavior disorder unspecified (probably ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder and a mood disorder, unspecified. The more we have read on bi polor we are certain that is what it is. She saw a neurologist and he concured with the pshchologist opinion and said to see him back in 1 year to start medication. The psychologist also recommended contacting the School System to see if she will qualify for PPCD (program for children with disabilities). She has her eval with them on 9/16 but most likely won't qualify because she is not developmentaly delayed and has no speech issues. The only other advise she gave is to get her involved in play therapy. We go to the first session on 9/29.
I know we need to give that a try and I've read alot of good things about play therapy. However, we are not very hopeful that it will make a difference. We have pulled her out of her daycare and my partner (her other mom) is staying home with her. She is becoming so very difficult to manage. We can't go to any public places because of her outbursts and refusal to listen. She has always been very angry and had explosive meltdowns for the smallest things....but now the anger is being directed towards us, via hitting, biting, spitting, etc. It is so very sad to see her this way. yet at the same time is really taking a toll on our family.
Initially we were both very against medication but now we feel that she definately is suffering. She deserves to be a happy little girl and I wish we could try some sort of med to help her. Problem is we have been told there is no way that we will find a doc willing to medicate her this young.
Does anyone out there have any experience regarding this? Any suggestions for us to get through the day. :) Thank you very much in advance for your time.
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Jessica
Hi Jessica, I am not sure at what age doctors will be comfortable with medication. I am almost positive I've seen someone on this site who has had experience with this. I was never given the option of medicating my daughter until she was 5, and I wasn't willing to try it until she was 6 and I failed at all other attempts (nutrition, etc.). I would definitely recommend joining the support group for parents of Very Young children with bipolar - I think you will find a lot of good advice there. Also, stay consistent with therapy if you can. If she is really unstable, she may not benefit from it right away - but that will be something you can observe. And I'm sure this goes without saying, but ... stay away from chocolate, sugar and especially caffeine - these things will likely only exacerbate her issues.
I do not know who is telling you that you will not find a doctor willing to medicate that young - and, again, can't confirm or deny that statement. But when you look for a psychiatrist, be sure to look for one who specializes in children and mood disorders. I'm not sure where in Texas you live, but here: http://www.bpkids.org/connect/find/results?state=TX&lat=31.9685988&lon=-... is a list from the Resources link under the Learn tab on this website. It should provide a good starting point.
Good luck!
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Shelle, 49 in So Cal - stressed - Celexa 20mg, Xanax 0.5mg rarely as needed
Family Response Team member and CABF Support 11
rmadmom@hotmail.com
Single Mom to Rachel, 12 - BP, anxiety, ADHD (or maybe not) - Lamictal 200mg am+Seroquel 50mg am/200mg early pm, Modified schedule in public at end of last school year / Hoping for placement in therapeutic school for the fall
We also have Birdie, the love bird - she bites; and Scarlet, the kitten - she does too
Jessica,
Have the doctors also evaluated your dd for endocrine or genetic problems? There is a book by another member on this site called "It's Not Mental" that talks about her journey with her dd who had severe psychiatric sx that were largely due to physical disorders. That isn't the case with every young child, but it's certainly worth looking into, just in case.
I also recommend joining the Support Group here for very young children. You will find that you are not alone at least.
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Brenda,51, CABF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 17, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Trilafon, Lamictal, Seroquel, Cytomel, Allegra
E, 15 1/2, BP,AS: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol, Buspar
B, 14 & H, 11
Married 18 years to DH, 50
FROM CABF: Do not start, stop, or change medications or other treatments for yourself or your child based on what you read on this Website or elsewhere on the Internet. Information presented here should not replace the considered judgement of a doctor who knows you or your child.