Just need some support and to talk with others that understand
Hi all,
Let me start by saying I am a mother of three and our middle son, 10 yrs, has mental health issues. Everything blew up for us last fall when our son became extremely depressed, suicidal and despondent. He lost 15% of his body weight, was suffering from chronic stomach pain, was wanting to die and kill himself. As of November he was no longer able to attend school. On Christmas Eve I believe he was hallucinating and thought his bed was trying to kill him. We took him to our GP who reached the ped psychiatrist on call who sedated him over the holidays. In January we started trying various meds with not so great results, in part due to his stomach pains. The only med that seemed to help at all was Seroquel. No improvments. In February our son was hospitalized for 6 weeks. Since then he has been on Seroquel (am 50 mg and pm 100 mg), Prozac (20 mg) and Strattera (25 mg). We tried to reduce the Seroquel but that was not a success. During the last year and a half our son has really only had one friend (whose family is great and very understanding). In the fall our son started at a Private school (waldorf type environment). Things have been so so but his teacher seems to be loosing her patience. I now have a meeting tomorrow afterschool to discuss matters with her . I am worried that he is close to been expelled. That would be so hard on his confidence. I have advised the school coordinator of a brief overview of what has been going on but I am thinking that it is time to pull out all my reports and sit down and go over everything with our son's teacher. The only reason that I have not yet done this is that my son really wanted a fresh start and I guess, to be honest, we just didn't want him to be judged.
Everyday is a journey. Some days are good and others I just don't know what to do or where to turn. I just want to curl up in my shower and cry. I guess I am just looking to connect with other parents who understand. It's so hard to feel so alone sometimes. The drs seem hesitant to make any firm diagnosis. They say social anxiety, adhd, sensory disorder, depression, perhaps bipolar ....... it seems like they really don't know. I guess I understand that it is hard for everyone, but I don't know if others really get it.
I wanted to post this I guess just to hopefully make contact with others who understand, perhaps have been there, and can maybe share some words of wisdom (or even someone just to chat with who understands).
Welcome to CABF, I'm glad you found us! All of us can relate, so know that you are not alone!
First, I recommend finding and working with a highly qualified and educated child and adolescent psychiatrist, one whom successfully treats pediatric bipolar disorder, who can properly diagnose your daughter. If you follow this link - http://www.bpkids.org/connect/find you can search by city and state for a wide variety of resources including physician's and therapist's. You can also search at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist here - http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/child_and_adolescent_psychiatrist_finder/child_and_adolescent_psychiatrist_finder. This link will take you to a great article about questions to ask your doctor - http://www.bpkids.org/learn/library/the-doctors-visit-parent-checklist-of-questions.
This link will take you to a great article about pediatric bipolar disorder - http://www.bpkids.org/learn/library/about-pediatric-bipolar-disorder. And this link will take you to an article about how a bipolar diagnosis is made - http://www.bpkids.org/learn/library/how-is-a-bp-diagnosis-made. These two articles talk about the difference between ADHD and bipolar disorder - http://www.bpkids.org/learn/library/dsm-iv-mania-symptoms-in-a-prepubertal-and-early-adolescent-bipolar-disorder-phenotype and http://www.bpkids.org/learn/library/prepubertal-and-early-adolescent-bipolarity-differentiate-from-adhd.
Here are a couple more links to articles that I'm sure you'll find helpful -
Why Is It So Difficult to Diagnose Bipolar Disorder in Children
Bipolar Disorder, Co-occurring Condtions, and the Need for Extreme Caution Before Initiating Drug Treatment
Anxiety Symptoms in Children and Adolescents With Bipolar Disorder
Mania is often misdiagnosed as ADHD and this can be a costly mistake. Stimulants and even non-stimulants like Strattera, used to treat ADHD, as well as antidepressants (like Prozac), can and more often than not worsen and activate the bipolar condition. The result can be activation/mania, raging, suicidal thoughts, even psychosis. A general rule is to stabilize the mood first, then see what is left over to treat. The standard treatment for bipolar disorder includes at least one first line mood stabilizer, like Lamictal, Lithium, Depakote, Trileptal or Tegretol. Treatment usually also includes an atypical antipsychotic like Risperdal, Seroquel, Zyprexa, Geodon, Abilify, Invega, Saphris, or Fanapt. Some kiddos require two first line mood stabilizers and even two antipsychotics in their medication mix to stabilize. Most of the antipsychotics also have mood stabilizing qualities to them. Antipsychotics are great at treating mania, rage and aggression, along with any psychotic symptoms that maybe present. It is important to slowly titrate the dosages of medication in an effort to reduce side effects, and to find the right dose for your child. It is also very important to max out the dose of a medication before moving on, unless of course there are unwanted side effects. It is very important for you to educated yourself on the recommended medications used to treat bipolar disorder. Follow this link to the current expert recommended treatment guidelines from the Journal of the Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry - http://www.bpkids.org/learn/library/treatment-guidelines-for-children-and-adolescents-with-bipolar-disorder. Many parents have found it helpful to print these guidelines and take them with them when they meet with their doctor to discuss treatment options for their child. We have found it imperative to follow these guidelines.
One of the best things you can do is to chart and/or journal your son's moods and behaviors as this will become valuable information for the psychiatrist. Sample mood charts can be found here - http://www.bpkids.org/learn/library/mood-charts-list-of-several.
This information booklet can be given to the school to help them understand what accommodations might be most beneficial. The link to that pamphlet is - http://www.bpkids.org/learn/library/educating-the-child-with-bipolar-disorder. Another good resource can be found at: www.bpchildren.org.
It sounds too like your son would benefit from a really good Occupational Therapy evaluation to address his sensory issues that are going on. I also highly suggest getting a good Neuropsychological evaluation done. This will help pin point whats going on with your son, plus offer you insight and suggestions regarding school. This link explains what a Neuropsychological Evaluation entails.
In addition to our forums, you might be interested in joining one of our on-line support groups, where you can ask questions and share information with other experienced parents. Please follow this link to join a support group - http://www.bpkids.org/connect/support-groups.
Know that we are here for you and that you are no longer alone!
Hugs,
--
Jackie aka mom2one
Forums moderator, FRT
Mom to Mr. 18 (dx'd at age 4), Schizoaffective, bipolar subtype, Anxiety Disorder, PDD, Cognitive Disorder
Meds: Seroquel 1000 mg., Fanapt 24 mg., Lamictal 600 mg., Lithium 1250 mg., DDAVP, and Synthroid .150 mcg
Fish Oil and Vitamin D
IEP, Therapeutic School
Married to my best friend and rock for 21 years!
If CABF has helped you, please consider a donation! https://www.bpkids.org/donate?campaign=forums2010
My step son lives full time with us. He has been diagnosed as BP we went the whole adhd route until he was 8 and we noticed something just wasnt right, He cyles still, extremem swings, aggressiveness outburts, he never seems to recall things that happen correctly he seems to disconnect with logical sequential thinking, I am always the bad guy, becuase I make him do his homework chores, he is very opposititional when he dosent get his way is disciplined, is refused a desire of his. It can be very difficult, add into the mix a BPD mom, and it can be down right hell.
we have tried variuos medications, and we are on the right road just havent quite made it there yet. Normal middle school age kids are hard, BP kids with there turbulant moods, refusals fighting, tantrums, threats, screaming., well, I can only say until youve walked a mile in our moccasins
It is also difficult when a parent refuses the dianoses or worse yet feeds into the delisional behavior and feeds into the disease. It is a disease, so many people have a hard time understanding it is like being a diabetic, and well if you miss your meds there are real consequnces.... I feel for all of us..
--I also just want someone to connect with. This is my second year homeschooling my 10-year-old son who has been diagnosed with bipolar. My mother was manic-depressive (which I guess is the same thing). She committed suicide when she was 29 so I am desperate not to have my son follow that route. We have been going to Psychiatrists for almost two years now and been on many medication trials. I have just gotten a fabulous book called The Bipolar Child. I have been highlighting all the things in it that seemed relevant to my son and the issues he has. I plan on having my husband read the highlighted parts and also his grandparents. I have been living on an "island" by myself with this and desperately need someone to connect with. I found this site through the book I just mentioned. Just reading it has given me the affirmation I have been needing that my situation is not unusual and sadly effects a lot o others.
Homeschooling has been very difficult and my health is starting to suffer because of the stress. I don't see a way to stop because I don't know if he will be accepted back at school or not. He was attending a private christian school in the third grade when our issues started. He was always a busy ADHD kid but until then things were manageable. I completely understand the curling up and crying thing. My spot was on the kitchen floor last year. I am currently having "compassion fatigue" and have built up walls to try to cope through each day which is not a good thing but it's so hard. I would love to connect if you are still searching for someone.
Christie
Homeschooling Connor age 10 5th grade, Bipolar on Depakote, Abilify, Celexa and Zoloft
Christie,
Your story sounds very similar to mine. We had to pull him out of an Episcopal school near the beginning of 5th grade. I don't know how they made it through 4th grade with him in the class. I homeschooled him for 4 years--it was very draining, although, like you, I couldn't see any other alternative that would work for him. There is a homeschool support group with CABF in case you're interested in meeting other parents walking the same eduation path.
Hopefully you will find more family support now if they read any of the BP Child. There are many books available on the subject, and you find a lot of them in teh bookstore section of this website.
--
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.
Hi I am also new to this group. We have been dealing with anxiety and OCD with my 8 year old daughter for quite some time. We have felt their was a piece of the puzzle missing, and her therapist has suggested a mood disorder. I bought a book about bipolar kids and just about all the symptoms described her. I am homeschooling her this year because her separation anxiety was so bad this year her therapist reccommended homeschooling. We recently raised her Zoloft from 37.5mg to 50mg and she has had more frequent and more intense temper tantrums than usual so I am asking Dr. to lower dose..unfortunately this will not help with her separation anxiety or OCD,. I am taking her to a nautropath and will try to go the natural route before adding additional meds. I was wondering if anyone can suggest supplements that have worked for anxiety and bipolar. I noticed there is a dad in the group whose son has been successful with supplements and diet..maybe you could share what has worked. I have been on paxil for 12 years and I wish I had at least tried some natural alternatives, so I am going to go that route first for my child. If however we are not sucessful taking the natural route, we will need to find a med that will help her anxiety disorder but not make her manic...HELP??? ,
Sara panic disorder, possible mood disorder
homeschooling M- OCD, separation anxiety, possible bipolar
My ds14 has been on inositol for a couple of years now for anxiety issues. We were able to wean him almost all the way off Seroquel after starting it. He even stopped pulling out his hair (TTM), which I wasn't expecting but was glad to see. I'll see if dad-wi can answer some of your questions.
--
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.
Thanks Brenda
I was all gung-ho to start some natural supplements, but it seems alot of the natural stuff cannot be used if there is a chance of bi-polar and/or you are already taking an SSRI...my daughter is currently on Zoloft.
Sara
homeschooling M-8yr old with OCD, separation anxiety disorder-poss BP
Both of my kids became manic on AD's. I became hypomanic first on Effexor, then on Welbutrin. Do you think the Zoloft is causing any problems?
--
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.