I have a 6 yer old son who has had some anger issues since he was three it all started when he wouldnt get his way he would get real angry and hit or throw things well one day he punched the wall and put a hole in it so I made an appointment with his peditrician and he then reffered him to a phsycoligist and was at first diagnosed wiht mood disorders but now they are saying he is manic/bipolar. he has been on medication for about 3 1/2 years now he is doing better but its stressful on me having to cope with it. I am familiar with it my Father has it but he wasn't diagnosed until he was 42 years old and now the doctor is evaluating me for it. Something about it is hereditary we have to go to counciling once a month and go through evaluations. I am already taking Xanax been on it for about 3 years now sometimes i cry my self to sleep at night cause i feel it is my fault my son is gonna have this the rest of his life. I am sorry to goin like this. I just cant find anyone to talk about this with. You all now how doctors are.
thank you all for your advice i did find a support group to talk wiht and was very suprised at how many other kids and age differences in children have also been diagnosed with this. Once again thank you
J.-
I feel for you. You do need to find a support group. Someone you can talk to that understands exactly what it is that you are going thru. But please--do not feel guilty, like its your fault. Its not. And at least its treatable. Once they find the right medication; and as long as he keeps taking the meds--things will be alright.
Things will get better--my prayers are with you.
I think this might help you http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ParentsofBi-Polars/
It's for parents of bipolar children like you. There are support groups for children of bipolar parents and people with the disorder if you do a search on the same site. I know you'll find help or at least a sympathetic ear. Good luck hun.
HI J.,
So sorry to hear of your difficulties. I think the evaluations will be very helpful. I'm in the counseling field and think that counseling will be very helpful also. I counseled at a local church that offered adult and child counseling, jointly or separately. Maybe you could look into something like that. Please don't feel guilty about your son having this disorder. Because you have dealt with your father's illness and now your own, you actually have the upper hand at helping your son. Your own first hand experience and education can give him more opportunities and advantages you can think of. Again, I'm so sorry for your struggles. Don't give up.
Laura
Hi, my first visit here and "bipolar" caught my eye. I have a 12 yo son who was dx late summer 2006 as bipolar. He had already been dx ADHD. It is hereditary. His biological mother, he is adopted, was bipolar. Please, do not blame yourself. You have no control over this and your role is one of support, guidance and monitoring for your child. Take care of yourself, do not blame yourself. I'd be glad to private message you my email should you need an ear.
I'm not sure what to do about your son b/c they suspect my 9yo has bipolar/anger disorder but they don't want to medicate him untill he's at least 12. He sees a therapist once a week and it helps. My mother and I also have bipolar and I've just recently sought help for it. I've found a wonderful dr. here in Hartwell at the Mental Health Clinic his name is Dr.Livingston and he treats mainly kids but adults too. I know alot of people are gonna have alot to say about this but he put me on lithium and it's been a miracal drug for me. There's alot of false information out there about it and I was skeptical at first but I've been on it for a few months now and my mood is better and my anger is under control. Talk to your dr. or try to call mine and ask them about it. I'm pretty sure zanax isn't going to do much for your bipolar and it's kinda addictive so please be careful. Feel free to email me at ____@____.com if you need more info or anything else.
Hi J.. I to am dealing with a child with bipolar. My daughter was diagnosed in January and is 12 years old. She started to really display symtoms in the 2nd grade and was diagnosed as ADHD at that time. As she's gotten older, her problems got worse and we were eventually referred to a psychologist for testing. She takes several medications to deal with the ADHD and bipolar. Since finally getting her medications stabilized she is better, unless she doesn't take them (when I forget to give them to her). From what I understand there are different symptoms and she just happens to have the mood disorder and will react when provoked. She was kicked out of private school in January because she had an altercation with 2 different boys. She's now in another private school (my husband and I, along with her psychiatrist did not think she would do well in the public school setting) and is doing pretty good. She still has her days, but overall she is much better. I currently take Lexapro, which makes me more at ease and not so keyed up or anxious feeling. As you stated, it is inherited and a lot of people are never diagnosed because the symptoms never prevail.
I try to deal with it by talking to people at work (really close friends), through my faith in GOD and talking with her psychiatrist when we go. We were seeing a counselor, but it got to the point that that really was not helping.
Feel free to email me, ____@____.com, anytime when you want to someone to talk to.
