Appropriate and Productive Therapy
Hello All,
I am new here. My 13 year old son is diagnosed Bipolar/ADHD.
He has seen a "talking" doctor over the years, but I have not felt that these have been very productive sessions.
My son still does not know how to calm himself down during an episode nor detect the feelings that come on him prior to an explosive episode.
Maybe I am hoping for too much, but he won't be under our (his parents) wing for ever and he is going to have to deal with this on his own sooner rather than later.
My question - Have any of you found a therapist that can address bipolar disorder issues, and if so, what kind of therapy did they use?
My youngest son has autism and it is very well known that for that condition ABA therapy is the most effective. Where is the research and guidance for Bipolar like autism?
Thanks, Mark
Mark,
Welcome to CABF. Has your son seen the same tdoc since the beginning? It really depends on what's available in your area as to whether you will find good therapy. We have tried several tdocs over the years, some good, some not. The last one my ds saw tried to teach him how to recognize and deal with his feelings, but ds wasn't willing to work on it at the time, so I stopped spending the money. I know some people have awesome therapists. I think it helps to have a therapist who somehow holds the child accountable for trying to work on these issues. Also, I have never seen therapy help unless the child is reasonably stable on meds or CAM therapy. Is your ds13 currently on meds, and do you think they are working?
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Brenda,50, CABF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 16, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Trilafon, Lamictal, Seroquel, Cytomel
E, 14, BP,AS, hypothyroidism: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, levothyroxin, inositol
B, 13 & H, 10
Married 17 years to DH, 49
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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.
Brenda - thanks for the response.
Yes, my son has seen the same therapist since his diagnosis.
Yes, he is reasonably stable with his meds - Depakote and Seroquel - we have increased the Seroquel a little bit this fall.
We have an appt this Friday with same therapist. This time he is suggesting that we set some specific goals, so that is a good sign.
I was just hoping to go into that appt on Friday and say, "Let's do xyz kind of therapy because it is known to work with bipolar kids.", but I guess there is no silver bullet here.
Mark
Mark
I'm Evelyn. I have a 14 year old Bipolar son. He was on residential treatment for over 8 months. The tdocs started him with Seroquel. For months he was very aggressive and irritable. The tdocs added Depakote. He was a little better after that, but with a lot of allusinations, problems sleeping and aggressive. The Seroquel was increase and seem to worse him. At this time, his new Doc and us decided to discontinue the Seroquel and add a new mood stabilizer. It is being a week and my son is doing a lot of better, he is sleeping better and more focus, he acts very happy. It might be the Seroquel. I have a Bipolar friend that did have a lot problems taking Seroquel as well. Oh, my son was diagnosed with ADHD as well, his new Doc, is only concetrating on the Bipolar part for now. He is only taking the Bipolar meds. It seems to help him. Good luck and hopefully his tdocs and you find the right medication.
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Evelyn B Allgood
Can't get my son to go to a therapist or leave the house for that matter! What do I do?
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Amy
df Married 18 yrs
ds with Bipolar, Pdd nos, and bif
Amy
I'm Evelyn. My 14 year old did the same. What it has work for me is, making deals with him. I bought Parenting with Love and Logic book and I have apply it on my son and it has work.
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Evelyn B Allgood
Mark: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy works for a lot of people with BP. Have you looked into that?
Amy: Is there any way to get a therapist to come to your house? Just a thought. I know others have done that, but I'm not sure how. I believe some people get in home therapy through wrap-around services.
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Brenda,50, CABF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 16, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Trilafon, Lamictal, Seroquel, Cytomel
E, 14, BP,AS, hypothyroidism: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, levothyroxin, inositol
B, 13 & H, 10
Married 17 years to DH, 49
If CABF has helped you, please help CABF. Donate today. http://www.bpkids.org/donate?campaign=forums2010
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.
My daughter is 11 and goes all week with issues nearly everyday then goes to therapy and "she's happy and fine". She plays and visits like their friends and there is no problems. We don't know what we need to do to get more out of the sessions.
Mom J-41 bipolar/borderline personality/anxiety
Dad M-41 anger issues
Middle Sister M-13 hoping she stays healthy
Little Sister J-11 diagnosed bipolar/anger issues/also has schizophrenic type symptoms
Very empathic older sister A-19
JandJwanna play,
I actually have to go into the sessions with my daughters counselors and "stir up the pot" some. The counsselors have commented also that my girls are "fine" until I bring up what has happened over the week. They are 15 and 6.
Also, one session I had my 6 yr old and Dh do alone and found out that everything went quietly and calm even though at home they are world War 3 these days. So it is not just the kids who do this in counseling, UGH!
Me-Bp/ ADHD
Dd-18-Bp/ADHD
Dd-15
Dd-6-Mood Disorder-NOS/ADHD
Ds-3-PDD-NOS
Dh-poor guy!
If you can't get them to go to the tdoc, try to get the tdoc to come to them. My cousin wouldnt go to the office so her tdoc would either come to my moms house for sessions with both of them present or would take K to lunch at her fav Restaurant. Unfortunately after 4 attemps at suicide, and being a complete pain to live with, the tdoc said she couldn;t help with K took her off the AD and left us hanging Thank God she has now made it past 18, and lives with her boyfriend.
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Mom-BP, PTSD, diagnosed at 26
DH- BP diagnosed at 35
DD-7 normal, hope she stays that way
DS-4 Suspect he is also BP, already been told ADHD, was a possibility.