Replies to '08/01 Extreme Highs and Lows'

Personally, I would make sure the bipolar is treated first in children and your child is considered medically stable for a period of time (at least 3 months) before an ADHD med is introduced.  Most stimulant medications are not successful in children with BP.  My son was introduced to Focalin XR, which seems to help with his ADHD features.  We had very extreme experiences with Concerta, Stratterra, Adderol and Ritalin.  The Focalin uses only one key ingredient of the similar stimulant drugs.  One thing we have to remember when treating symptoms of BP and ADHD in young children is the fact that they are children.  Sometimes we forget this and want to keep medicating symptoms which are normal behaviors and unfortunately, there are doctors out there who will continue to medicate until a child is over-medicated.  I would suggest you join a local support group for parents of BP kids or look into a scholarship membership at www.bpkids.org where you will be placed with families with similar aged children who have a primary dx of bipolar.