Topic : Support for parents who have Bipolar Children

This is what prompted me to create this board. Hope we can share info that will be helpful to others: 

  

First I will start with the definition of bipolar.. No one needs to be ashamed of this diagnosis, it explains alot and should be classified as a mood disorder to someone who doesn't fully understand (thats my opinion)  

   

Bipolar Disorder-A psychiatric condition characterized by extreme moods states of mania and depression. A person may have bipolar disorder even if they have experienced only one of the extreme mood states, making a diagnosis very challenging.  

   

Another thing I have learned which for me made it hard at first to accept a BP diagnosis for my daughter, was the general thinking of mania is a "high" like feeling.  BUT in children and teens mania can come out as anger and rage. I was unaware of that before I did research. I was picturing my daughter thinking she could do anything, and when she would go into an anger spell and rage, throwing things, fighting, etc. I didn't think that was a manic phase but in fact it was. Now that I know that it is easier to control.   

   

For me I do not have Mania I have hypomania, which is a generally feeling of being good.  I also am manic when I start spending money (common symptom)  So in me seeking diagnosis I never realized I was experiencing hypomania.   

   

For people that are bipolar and for teens especially you have to be VERY careful of using anti-depressants. This can caused mixed states and a mixed state is suffering both mania and depression at the same time. Most bipolar people that commit suicide are in a mixed state. I don't want to worry you but every time my daughter ended up in the psychiatric hospital she was in  a mixed state. The reason the suicide rate goes up in a mixed state is the person is depressed not wanting to live and has the mania of knowing they can do anything including killing themselves.  Thats why it is important to keep a mood journal, it doesn't have to be extensive. I just used happy sad 0-10 and eventually you will see a pattern, if you get below 5 you may want to record any stressors, monthly cycles etc to see what triggers are setting the mood. Also for the other side of the scale as well.   

   

I am going to close here and post again I don't want to lose all this info.  

The best thing to tell your friend is to be patient with med trials.  It can take a while to find the right combo and doseage. The other thing I would tell her is to inquire about any med or med combo causing weight gain. Being a teen girl the weight gain will be hard to digest. My size 0 100 pound daughter gained over 40 pounds, size 12 in matter of months, it was more devasting to her than the bipolar.  Lamictal is a newer medication and doesn't cause weight gain. THis medicaation has to upped slowly because it can cause a rash.  I am taking it and after 2-3 weeks I am up to 100mg, started out at 25mg  

   

The other thing that is important is for your friend to have her own talk therapists. As a mother, you often forget to take care of yourself, but it is really important to keep you healthy so you can take care of your child.  

   

www.bpkids.org is a wonderful website that is parent run and much like this message board, you post and get a lot of answers and support from moms with children that have bp and other illnesses.    

   

The best book I read was The Bipolar CHild, by Papolos.  

Another one that Ifound helful is The Bipolar Survival Guide, by Miklowitz.  And Bipolar for Dummies, by Fink.. tha is the black and yellow books, like windows for dummies etc. It is simple to understand and has tons of info.  I looked for my books by using amazon and searched bipolar.  

   

The other advise I can give you is to find a psychiatrist who specializes in bipolar disorder in adolecsants. This can be frustrating but worth the time to find one. When I was looking that was my first question when calling.  I went through 5-6 doctors before I found one who I trusted and liked. It is a process but worth it.  

   

If I can answer any more questions please ask.. You can also get my email off my profile and pass it along to your friend.  Or you can write to me.    

   

It is a tough road but can be succesful.  

   

O and one more thing.  Have her request in writing with the school for a testing for an IEP (special services) this child will qualify under emotional impairment and can be given special services to help her through school. It is anothe rprocess but can be done. My daughter gets help, like no timed test (causes great anxiety) can use the bathroom whenever as some medications make urination hard to control. Other things that are in the IEP are like won't be held back for absences. Also if the child is in a program out fo school ,she may qualify for a home bound teacher who comes out to the house, through the public school system. Another thing to look into. My daughter could only manage half days at the begingin of her med trial due to adjustments and Being tired etc. so we had a home bound.   With the school thing, I can assist you in getting a student actovist.. they know all the laws and stuff, the one I used was free of charge and it helped me get my daughter the IEP I was turned down at first. SOmething to think of as some of these meds can cause cognitive dulling so the older they get with the class load in high school it is hard to keep up. Especially during depressive episodes.  

   

If I think more I will post again. This info is alot to digest so I will stop for now.  

   

Tammy  

Is there a way to EDIT my description of this board? I forgot to add that this is not intended for medical advise and you should always check with a doctor regarding medications. 

  

I think that is important to disclose as I did and others may talk about meds. 

  

Thank you I hope I can do this edit. 

Tammy 

Hi Tammy i just wanted to drop by and wish you well with your board.I hope it is a great success.I see you asking mods if there is a way to edit i'll check to see because i was wondering the same thing for the board i have.So i'll check to see what they tell you.LOL Good luck with this sweetie.

Tammy,  

  

Please post what you want it to say and we can edit it for you.  

  

DrPhilBoard3 

"This Board  is not intended as medical advise.  You should always check with a doctor regarding medications.  This board is to share and learn. Thank you." 

  

  

Thank you for editing for me. 

  

Tammy 

I hope that you do come back to the other board.  I will miss you. 

  

Take care.  Give little Loagan a hug for me. She is your future gymnast. 

  

Neko 

I will be on that board too.. I just felt that since I was asked to post info on bipolar, that I would make a board just for this type of info.. 

  

I hope you are well tonight. 

  

Take care.. BTW did you see the pics of my girlies I posted? if not I will bring them to the top for you :) 

  

Have a good night 

  

Tam 

One of the most important things to do when you have a bipolar child is to educate yourself.  A good way to do that is to read books. There are plenty of self help books out there and here are a few that I think will be helpful.  I found if you go to your local library they either have these books or can request them from neighboring libraries.  Other places to ask if you cannot or do not want to buy, would be your doctors office. They also do research by reading books and usually will lend them to you free of charge. 

  

Bipolar Disorders: A Guide to Helping Children & Adolescents by Mitzi Waltz 

  

Child & Adolescent Psychopharmacology by Stanley Kutcher, M.D. 

  

Survival Strategies for Parenting Children with Bipolar Disorder: Innovative parenting and counseling techniques for helping children with bipolar disorder and the conditions that may occur with it by George Lynn (2001). 

  

The Ups and Downs of Raising a Bipolar Child by Judith Lederman and Candida Fink, M.D. (2004)  

  

When You Worry about the Child you Love: Emotional and Learning Problems in Children by Edward Hallowell, M.D. (Simon & Schuster,1996).  

  

A Mood Apart by Peter Whybrow, M.D. (Harper Collins, l997). 

  

Raising a Moody Child: How to Cope with Depression and Bipolar Disorder, by Jill S. Goldberg Arnold, M.D. and Mary A. Fristad, M.D.  

  

Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison. 

  

Bipolar Child by Papolos 

Hi tammy i was just dropping in to say hi.Hope all is well.