I don't have any personal experience with abilify, but there are reports that when not at the right dose it can make things worse. Some of that is due to how a person metabolizes the medication, something that is a consideration with all the meds.

It's also been noted that antidepressants can induce mania, and suicidal thoughts. Those meds carry a 'black box' warning of it, just so you remain observant of that. If you've tried other meds and have been seeing uncharacteristic results, you may want to ask the Pdoc about checking her P450 genetic profile to see if there is an issue with med dosing.   

These are a couple articles to help:

 http://www.bpkids.org/learn/library/parenting-an-unstable-child-with-bipolar-disorder

http://www.bpkids.org/learn/library/treatment-guidelines-for-children-and-adolescents-with-bipolar-disorder

Plus, you want to make sure the bases are covered that it's not allergy, immune, hormonal, or viral driven. http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/03/important-links-to-help-our-children.html

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Darryl - parent volunteer, dad to
Levi, 12, stable using supps and diet exclusively since June 07. Previously treated and stable with med combo inc. lithium, 900mg seroquel, and small amounts of risperdal, luvox and focalin after being dx'd at age 3 1/2.

Welcome to the CABF forums.  I have heard other reports of Abilify activating some kids.  Any psychotropic med can have adverse effects.  How is she doing now?  I would be concerned about the AD; if she has a BP dx then she really needs to be on 1 or 2 MS's.  Your sig line says that she has schizophrenia sx.  It is not all that uncommon for kids with BP to experience psychotic sx at times.  This is usually a sign that the mood disorder is not under control.  I also encourage you to read the Treatment Guidelines link that Darryl gave you above.  There is also a BP Med Guide from the AACAP that you may find helpful.

Is your dd showing signs of puberty yet?  That can contribute to a lot of instability in BP kids.  How did the pdoc appt go?

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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, mild hypothyroidism: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol
B, 13 & H, 10
Married 17 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.

 Hi,

We saw support staff at that doctor appt. We see the doctor in the morning (3/30). She has attended 1/2 days at school since the hospital.  They called yesterday. She had fallen asleep in math. She woke up screaming and couldn't believe we weren't dead. This monster had eaten dad's head and eaten all of me except my arm and head. She felt guilty because she saved herself and not me. Obviously, the school called. We took her home and she drew pictures of the monster and has had night terrors Sat through Tues.

She sees things like that and hears voices that tell her to kill me. A boy's voice is the bad one. That is what brought us to Abilify in the first place. The extended family says we should stop the Abilify. They never knew the extent of the voices or images. We weren't open to everyone at the beginning.

She saw the therapist last Tues and acted happy and played with the toys. Then all week we have all of this going on. Today we take her again. I am bringing the pictures.

I really am confused about the medication. I don't know what the doctor is going to say and then if we'll agree with him.

--

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

Yeah, that sounds pretty awful to me.  I can't imagine having such horrific hallucinations and nightmares.  I think it's time for a more therapeutic AP.  It doesn't seem like the Abilify is helping at this point.  Let us know how pdoc appt goes.  Good idea to bring in the pictures.

--

Brenda,50, CABF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 16, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Trilafon, Lamictal, Seroquel, Cytomel
E, 15, BP,AS, mild hypothyroidism: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol
B, 13 & H, 10
Married 17 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.

 We had a meltdown at the therapist's office. J-11 said she would definitely kill herself if she had to go back to the hospital. We are going "home bound" classes for school. We added Zyprexa as a on the spot treatment during episodes. The doc said to keep Abilify. We just don't know. Our insurance limits our choices for doctors. We don't want to put her back in the hospital. They said she may need long inpatient care at the state hospital. Dad and I will do anything to keep her from going there. We are with her 24/7 now. She is sleeping with us. She is not showering without me in the room; she has made a comment that drowning would be a good way to die.

Everyday is scary and we just wait for the next episode.

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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

This sounds like a terribly stressful situation.  Keep in mind that it is hard for 2 parents to monitor a suicidal person at home 24 hours a day.  If you get to a point where you can't keep this up, or she makes any attempt to harm herself, you will need to hospitalize her for her safety.  Please take care.  I'll be thinking about you.

--

Brenda,50, CABF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 16, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Trilafon, Lamictal, Seroquel, Cytomel
E, 15, BP,AS, mild hypothyroidism: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol
B, 13 & H, 10
Married 17 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.

 Just wanted to say "yay, she slept through the night 3 nights in a row." (In our bed)

 We are still having frequent episodes. She wrote a long story about the darkness that's inside of her. It was sad to hear her say that. She wanted to know if I believe her and understand her. I feel so lost. I want to make her feel safe. How do I make her feel safe from a darkness that she says wants to kill her?

We haven't used the Zyprexa yet. We have it on hand. We talked her out of an escalating outburst. She came out of it without remembering it. Is this real? Or  is she faking not remembering because she wants it not to be true? Debating this between dad. Her eyes dilate and she talks with such force and then she "melts out of it". I don't know how to explain the difference. It reminds me of Sybil the movie but I don't know. She is too young to have that reference to use that technique of changing so vividly.

 Still so confused.

-

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

In fact it is common for kids with BP to have no memory of a rage or meltdown after it is over.  This could also be a sign of some sort of seizure activity--does she get sleepy after these episodes?

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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, 15, BP,AS, mild hypothyroidism: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol
B, 13 & H, 10
Married 17 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.

 Yes, she slept 5 1/2 hours after Sunday's episode. She tells us she doesn't remember any of the episodes. She seems like she is having episodes every other day.

We are surviving day to day.

--

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

Becoming sleepy after a rage could indicate it is actually seizure activity.  I think it would be worthwhile to get a neuro. consult to evaluate for seizure disorder.

--

Brenda,50, CABF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 16, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Trilafon, Lamictal, Seroquel, Cytomel
E, 15, BP,AS, mild hypothyroidism: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol
B, 13 & H, 10
Married 17 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.

 Hi again,

She is feeling better more days in a row. She still is getting angry at small things. She has gained about 4 pounds since February.  She weighs a whopping 73 lb. and is 4'4", Eleven and still in size tens. She is petite so her tummy is just over her waistband. She is very sensitive about this. She is not any bigger but she thinks she is. 

She had an episode with her sister Tuesday night. She took a hand held garden cultivator (the claw thing) and raised it like she was going to slash M-13. She said she would hurt her. She would hurt her- as in, "wait and see, I will hurt you". M-13 is scared to sleep near her. This happened after 4 days of great behavior. 

She is getting better but then her anger is out of control. She assumed M-13 had bumped her knee, or talked in the car when J-11 was sleepy, or said the mama cat was getting fat (not her).  I was there. J-11 overreacted to each situation.

I talked to the therapist and she assured me that they would be setting goals. My goal is to not have a threat of violence in a otherwise great day.

Thanks for listening. I can't vent to my friends. They don't know all of it. They have no idea. My hubby is working late most days so most of the sitations are re-told. Then J-11 blames me for never loving her, abusing her, not believing her, and telling on her to Daddy. That's always fun. Does that ever get easier to hear?

Enough for now. Just can't make sense of irrational responses. I am feeling like my family felt when I did all of this in 2000. I feel really bad about how my behavior affected my hubby and girls. I do remember not calling my mom for 13 days when I was in the hospital because of a suicidual attempt. I was just so ashamed that I couldn't control myself. 

Remembering that feeling when dealing with my daughter. That's the key.

--

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

(((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))

I'm glad there's a general trend of improvement.  But I have found that when things are going more smoothly, it is more of a shock when some bad incident occurs.  Do your dd's share a room?  I don't blame your other dd for not wanting to sleep with her sister.  I would be nervous, too. 

Hey, you can vent and share here anytime.  We understand. 

--

Brenda,50, CABF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 16, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Trilafon, Lamictal, Seroquel, Cytomel
E, 15, BP,AS, mild hypothyroidism: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol
B, 13 & H, 10
Married 17 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.

No, they have their own rooms. We will put a lock on the older one's door.

J-11 spent the day with her oldest sister. They made a cake and watched movies. I went fishing with my parents. It was so nice. She was excited for us to eat her cake. It was delicious.

A great day so far. <yay>

--

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

I am new to this site as of tonight. I think as with any meds what may be good and work for one child may not be good for the other. Before increasing my daughters Abilify we experienced with her, wanting to hurt herself or other people in the family. After increasing her Abilify, which it took a while to see the change, the increase in Abilify helped her violent rages. For your child the increase may not work but also take into consideration the amount of time given to see a change. Like I said it probably took 3 months to see a very big and good change from her increase.

I read more that you have written. I think it is very common what effects you experience with your daughters rages. When my daughter has a rage her eyes dialate, she a lot of times doesnt remember details of what happened, and is sleepy afterwards. I'm sure it takes a lot of a child during a rage so sleepiness would be a reasonable effect of a rage. I can some what understand what you are going through but not to that extent. I however worry everyday that if something doesnt change in how my daughter feels about herself and being bipolar that I will wake up one day and find my child having committed suicide. She knows she is different and it has caused her to have low self-esteem. She doesnt like how she feels about herself after she has had a rage and has been mean to a family member. I have overheard her when she thought nobody could here, her asking God to please let her come to Heaven so she wouldnt be sick and hurt anymore. I would hate to ever have to send her inpatient to a hospital, if I ever think she would hurt herself I would not hesitate to put her there though. I would rather have her alive there and under treatment and supervision than wake up to her in my home dead. If you really think she may hurt herself get help.

amienana,

You are absolutely right about giving meds a chance to work.  It is so hard to wait, but they do not help instantly, unfotunately.

I am sorry to hear about your child's low feelings about herself.  These sound like sx of depression.  Do you keep a mood chart for her?  Does her pdoc know she has thoughts of dying?

Admitting to phosp is really tough, but when it comes time, you know it's the right thing to do.   The first time was very traumatic for me, not just the thought of ds being in phosp, but the vision of him being so very ill.  The second time he was admitted was emotionally easier for me, I guess because I knew what to expect.

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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, 15, BP,AS: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol
B, 13 & H, 10
Married 17 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.

Brenda H,

Thanks for your kind words. I am new to this site and dealing with a Bipolar child. I entered this site because i'm exhausted with trying to figure things out on my own. I know of nobody in my social cirlce that has a Bipolar child, so support or advice is scarce. I have a few questions. What is the mood chart for? It sounds like a good idea. Is it to see if there is a pattern of how often and maybe what times of day moods are worse? Also, I see everyone leaves information at the end of replies with med info and stuff, what is this? 

Yea, that is exactly what a mood chart is for.  Here is a link to some.  You may appreciate the "Getting Started" article under the "Learn" tab at the top of the page.

You can create a signature that will attach automatically to your forum posts this way:  Log in, then click on your user name.  Your profile should come up on the screen.  At the bottom it will say "edit your information and photo".  Click on this, then scroll to the bottom and you can create a signature.

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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, 15, BP,AS: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol
B, 13 & H, 10
Married 17 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.