Welcome!
Posted by Nanci Schiman on June 30, 2010 at 3:36pm
Welcome to our newest forum, a place for parents to connect with other parents who have bipolar disorder and are raising a cihld with bipolar disorder. You asked and we listened! The Balanced Mind Foundation is committed to providing families with the support that best meets their needs.
Warmly,
Nanci
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Nanci Schiman, MSW
The Balanced Mind Foundation Program Manager
nschiman@thebalancedmind.org
WI Mom to:
S - 17; BP2, Lamictal, Lithobid, Synthroid, Seroquel
A- 15 Zoloft
L - 13; BP NOS, Trileptal, Amantadine, Lithobid, Synthroid, Lexapro, Niacinimide, Klonopin
DH - D, 50
My son is 15 and we have started an antidepressant last fall to help with severe depression with the introduction of a mood stabilizer this past spring. He sees a counselor weekly and the psychiatrist every 6 weeks (est.) I have MANY questions, thoughts and frustrations with day-to-day situations as we work though this as a family. The counselor allows me 10 minutes at the end of his sessions to talk about what happened in a week. That is NOT nearly enough time for me, not to mention the psychiatrist who does the same. I feel like they just write prescriptions?? I need to process this! I have created my own mood charts. I have been doing my own research. I question if the medication is working? I question how much is teenage drama? I question how much is medical vs. environmentally learned behaviors (my ex- had some undiagnosed issues) A separate counselor for me does not work since they do not know my son. I want more time to process with someone who knows.
I keep being told that when it gets bad take him in to the hospital. We have already been there. I am not impressed!! He learned more deviant behaviors and ways to attempt suicide there then strategies to help himself. I will work with him here, but need support.
Any suggestions????
Thank YOU!
Have you ever looked into family therapy where they come into your home to assess how things work, and then provide interventions for the family as a whole? This may be more what you are looking for.
How are you doing as far as stability goes? I find that when I am depressed, I have very little energy to deal with my children's issues. I also have a hard time putting things in perspective sometimes. When I'm stable, my kids do much better.
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Brenda,50, CABF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 15 1/2, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Trilafon, Lamictal, Seroquel, Cytomel
E, 14, BP,AS, hypothyroidism: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, levothyroxin, inositol
B, 12 1/2 & H, 10
Married 16 years to DH, 49
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 have been recently dx bipolar nos until pdoc can finish testing on me. but i have it. i am depressed alot mood swings. the pdoc gave me adderral for now cause i need to focus. she will add a MS next.
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Will- 28yrs - Adderral 30 Mg 2x daily
Philadelphia, Pa
Chris-7 yrs BP NOS, ADHD, MOOD DISORDER NOS, PDD NOS, ODD, GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER, FM DELAYS, SENSORY INTREGRATION DISORDER
Risperdal .5 MG 2x Daily
Lamictal 25 MG 2x Daily
Ativan 1 MG PRN
Matt- 4yrs Minor Speech Delay
Alexiz - 1 yr
Co-Moderator CABF Very Young 2 with Amy, Janice, Jessica
Co-Moderator CABF Very Young 3 with Shauna and Janice
QUESTIONS COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOMED AND APPRECIATED
willchris1981@aol.com
CABF makes no warranty, representation, or guarantee as to the accuracy or completeness of the information posted on the CABF Web site. CABF assumes no responsibility or liability in connection with the reference to, reliance on, or use or misuse of such information. The information, opinions and recommendations presented within CABF's Web site are for general information only and should not be construed as medical or therapeutic advice or diagnosis, nor as advice about treatment of any specific medical condition. CABF does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, medication, process, method of treatment, service, or organization presented or mentioned on the CABF Web site.
NO USER SHOULD START, STOP, OR CHANGE MEDICATION OR OTHER TREATMENT FOR HIMSELF OR HERSELF OR FOR HIS OR HER CHILD BASED ON WHAT THEY READ ON THIS WEB SITE OR ELSEWHERE ON THE INTERNET. INFORMATION PRESENTED HERE IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE, AND DOES NOT REPLACE, THE CONSIDERED JUDGMENT OF A LICENSED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER WHO KNOWS THE PATIENT. CABF HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, THE CABF WEB SITE OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED ON THE SITE.
Will,
I am curious why a pdoc would dx you with BP or depression and give you Adderall as the first med? Stims can be activating for young and old alike. Many people with depression have difficulty concentrating and focusing -- it is a sx of the depression. I hope your pdoc can find a treatment that will help your depression soon.
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Brenda,50, CABF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 15 1/2, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Trilafon, Lamictal, Seroquel, Cytomel
E, 14, BP,AS, hypothyroidism: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, levothyroxin, inositol
B, 12 1/2 & H, 10
Married 16 years to DH, 49
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.
I agree with Brenda be carefull with the Adderral! I had people tell me my son looked like he was posessed by the devil on that medicine.
What a terrible thing to say to someone. I am sorry
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Melissa 41y/o ; Bipolar II, Lamictal. Daughter 9y/o: Mood Disorder, GAD, Separation Anxiety, Depression, allergies: Lamictal, Zoloft, Singulair, Veramyst, Vistaril, Melatonin
Do any of you suffer from Bipolar disorder type two. I was just recently diagnosed and am curious about the symptoms that others experience. My hypomania includes agitation and irritability mostly. I also have days of very high energy and days with confidence and feeling of positive outlook and well being. Periodically I have depression symptoms.
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Melissa 41y/o ; Bipolar II, Lamictal. Daughter 9y/o: Mood Disorder, GAD, Separation Anxiety, Depression, allergies: Lamictal, Zoloft, Singulair, Veramyst, Vistaril, Melatonin
this is my 1st night on this site. if i'm doing anything wrong, just let me know, i won't be offended!! :0)
like you melissa, i suffer from pretty much the same symptoms, but i have the BD I as my diagnosis. I seem aggrevated, stressed and anxious every stinking day. i also have UP days where i actually have the desire to do something around the house or even get some exercise.
having a 6.5 yo son with the same diagnosis, as well as ADHD and GAD, it make life around this house very hard at times. i was to strangle him when he goes 'off' into one of his STUCK moods where it's his way or the highway. i am MORE stubborn than he is and i just start taking things away. he says he doesn't care, IN THAT MOMENT and then regrets it when he comes down from his rage. then i want to BAWL and give everything back to him, but being the stubborn stickler that i am i stick to my guns. it breaks my heart because i know how he's feeling!!!
my husband is my opposite and likes to EXPLAIN and TALK through everything. i don't know how many times i try to tell him to just GET AWAY from our son. he just enrages him more sometimes. he is THE BEST father and husband EVER and he loves us all more than anything. he's a 'fixer' and a teacher and thinks everything is about teachable moments and patience, but i KNOW when you're raging, the LAST thing you want is someone in your face acting like a therapist or teacher trying to 'talk you out' of your rage. i am building up as i'm writing this. my fingers can't type fast enough! it's ENRAGING to me when we get into these situations because i think MY way is the right way because i think i know how he's feeling and that he needs space. then, compound that with my opposite, then compound that with my dragon that wants to shoot FIRE during already AWFUL situations and you've got a whole lot of anger going on. luckily, neither my husband or myself are yellers or hitters- thankg GOD because if i let out everything i was feeling most of the time, the neighbors would have called the police by now and my son would be on the MOON!!
ok, going to cool down. i can't tell you how good it feels to be able to simply VENT these feelings into a cyber world where people actually UNDERSTAND them!
thanks for reading...really, THANK YOU!!!
:0)
Hi, this is the first time I have been on this site. I dont know how this all works but I was reading your post and I can SOOOOO relate. I am BP and I am in the process of finding out my daughters (8yo) diagnosis. She is an angel in school and then turns my house upside down in seconds. I have an in home counselor for three hours a week. She was diagosed with behavioral issues (to say the least) which has made her able to go to a weekly program through the summer. I don't know if it is helping. I spoke with a psy at the day program and we are going to try INTUIVE (sp). I am really nervous to put her on meds but I feel like we have reached that point. I know that I feel like my meds have affected my brain and am afraid for her.
Yes, I have that dx, too. I lived with it for most of my life, until I had my kids with BP and life was too overwhelming. Then they put me on Effexor, which helped at first, but after about 18 months I became hypomanic. This was primary doc. Then he switched me to Welbutrin, but the same thing happened. Finally saw a pdoc, who put me on Lamictal, and then added low dose lithium. I have some physical problems that have developed over the past few years, and the mind racing of hypomania is hard for my body to keep up with. When I was young I enjoyed it :-) Now it's very uncomfortable when it happens.
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Brenda,50, CABF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 15 1/2, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Trilafon, Lamictal, Seroquel, Cytomel
E, 14, BP,AS, hypothyroidism: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, levothyroxin, inositol
B, 12 1/2 & H, 10
Married 16 years to DH, 49
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 on lamictal also, actually they just put me on Lamictal XR. I was told wellbutrin was not a good med for people with seizures so I am glad u went to a pdoc. I wanted that med b/c it helps you loose weight.
I have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and some type of arthritis. I was very sick last year and went into liver and kidney failure after being misdiagnosed. I almost died. Spent 19 days in the hosp. Most of which I don't remember.
What do you think about the lithium? How long ago were you diagnosed?
I was dx'd several years ago, after my kids were dx'd. I took the Effexor initially for a chronic neuropathic pain syndrome I developed after a bad case of 5th disease. I was dragging so low, I think my neurotransmittors had been completely depleted! The Effexor helped immediately, relieved the pain and gave me some energy. But over time I guess it overshot the mark in incr. my neurotransmittors..... Welbutrin did the same thing, even though it is touted as being safe for people with BP.
The lithium really helped to even me out. I have seen many kids here do well on a Lamictal/llithium combo. It has worked well for me, too. I take a low dose of both so I have minimal SE's.
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Brenda,50, CABF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 15 1/2, 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 all, I was formally diagnosed as BP a couple years ago but have been BP since I was a young child I am sure - my dd is nine and just got diagnosed this last week though I have known for a year or so that this was the road she has been on - it has just gotten REALLY bad around here and now we need some help for her. I love that I know her head - that unlike my family (I am adopted)I understand the dragon on her back and totally get when she looses it, or is sad, or whatever. But I feel terrible guilt, and my husband blames me I think. My other daughter has ADHD and I am terrified she will also become BP like us - but we will deal with that if we have to. I look forward to getting some support, some advice and just getting to know some of you. I do not have many friends and hope that this forum offers some support to me right now.
hey just entered the world of mental illness i myself have dealt with mood swings and depression now my son is bi polar i feel lost in a maze it is so sad when u can relate to your child's mental illness but don't know what to do cause no one helped you i am just reaching out to everyone for guidance and support and am very interested in how u r doing since July my thoughts and prayers r with u and your family
Welcome to CABF, I'm glad you found us!
Take a look around our site, we have a lot of great information. A great starting point is to click on the "learn" tab on the top of this page, and then click on the "getting started" tab.
Ask all the questions you have! How is your son doing?
Please know that you are not alone and that we are here for you!
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Jackie aka mom2one
Forums moderator, FRT
Mom to Mr. 17 (dx'd at age 4), Bipolar, Psychotic Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, PDD, Cognitive Disorder
Meds: Seroquel 900 mg., Risperdal 4.5 mg., Fanapt 12 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!
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i just recently had my two and a half year old diagnosed with severe three out of four rating of bipolar and am struggling to accept medicating her knowing that it may or may not be helpful i also have a son with adhd but do not blame myself rather than genetics and deal with her best i can till now where i am scared of playing god with her life not knowing with certainty that i will be making the right choice for her without it causing a life long affect with being so young but am almost in desperation, how do u choose., at least you all can as a family work to understand it and offer each other ways to be a healthy family.
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Trudy Lee
Hi everyone
I'm not a parent of a child with BP but my dad has had it my whole life and my younger brother (20) was just diagnosed. i live in australia and so far am bery disapointed with teh mental health system, my brother has been bumped from hospital to hospital and has had 3 different psychiatrists in less than a year!! there are no support groups that i have found and i thought maybe a forum would be a good place to go to get some ideas on how to help him. Í've just graduated from a bachelor in psychological science and have been doing research into family and individual cognitive behavioural therapy which seems to be something that has helped alot of people with bp and their friends and family. has any one got any hands of experioence with this type of help that could maybe give some advice or opinions on what its like? or anything at all on what might help?
any mom2girls, i sympathise with your guilt, but no one can be the cause or blame for bp we can only be their support and love, but i know that my dad struggles with the same thoughts when it comes to my brother and thaving to take care of my brother is very confronting for him. I hope that things get easier for you and that you find comfort in these forums.