Bipolar and ADHD

Check out www.trianglemommies.com! They will offer you the advice that you need!

have you tried counseling? im adhd and bipolar and counseling would have helped me at that age. i know it helps me now. just a thought. ps their systems change a lot in teen years thats why all the med changes...you may already know that but it cant hurt to hear a word of encouragement. these changes will soon slow down my son was severely adhd and he improved after puberty.

HI, J.. So sorry to hear about what you are going through. Lets start with the bi-polar. Was it diagnosed correctly? Alot of Drs these days really don't know so they tend to mis-diagnose and prescribe the wrong meds. Be very careful with the medication they have givne him. I don't know if you watch Dateline or CNN when they were covering all those hearings on Capital Hill regarding anti-depressants and psych meds. Thos kinds of meds 'cause adverse reactions such as suicidal thoughts and depression. My advice is to seek another opinion or seek outpatient treatment at any local Community Services Board for outpatient drug/alcohol/psych treatment (every city should have one).
I work in a hospital in Portsmouth, VA and am around Drs all day. Trust me when I say, they don't know everything. Seeking a second opinion is always a good idea. I understand your funds are limited, but call your social worker and discuss it with him or her. As I tell patients everyday, please please please stay very alert and knowledgable when it comes to your health and your childrens health.

Now regarding the meds, our body gets used to certain medications. I don't know about his body getting used to it after two months, (that makes me think they are the wrong meds for your child) but he will certainly get imune to them after awhile. That is with anyone taking meds for a long period of time.

Now for a job. Do you have any experience with working in a Drs office? How about computers, data entry, clerical experience? If so, go to www.ChartOne.com. Check out the jobs they have listed on the website. You may even want to submist an application anyway (I have one if you want to email me your email address). They handle release of medical records at physician offices, hospitals, and insurance companies. It is a good job that pays well, the benefits aren't great but it pays well. If you are interested let me know. I do think they have an account in your area and they are always looking for help. Good luck and keep your head up. GOD does not give us anything that we can't handle.

My almost 16-year-old son also has bipolar and ADHD and is on meds for both. My son has been diagnosed since age 10, so we've been through a lot.

When kids reach puberty, their hormones fluctuate, and it really throughs off the balance of medications. Adjustments have to be made frequently as their bodies are changing. Would you mind sharing what medications your son is taking and the dosages? You can email me privately, if you like.

Have you read the book "The Bipolar Child" by Dr. Papalos? If not, get it now. Also read "Intense Minds Through the Eyes of Young People with Bipolar Disorder" to get a first-hand account of what your son is going through. There's also a good book for managing tempers called "The Explosive Child."

There's a website www.bpkids.org that has lots of good information and support. You can join the listervs or message boards there -- there's a membership fee that can be waived in your circumstance.

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. My niece has the exact same thing. It is so bad that my sisters other 3 kids have had to move in with their grandparents until she turns 18 in Aug so that my sister can get her to move out. I hope you can get the doctor to give you something to help out. I know that sometimes it seems neverending and you just want to pull your hair out and scream. Stay strong and you and your family will get through this hard time.. I will keep you in my thoughts!

A.

MY SISTER IS BIPOLAR AND SHE IS IN HER 40'S AND HAS ALWAYS HED THE SAME PROBLEMS TO THIS DAY. HE MIGHT NOT BE TAKING HIS MEDS THEY GET GOOD AT HIDING IT. IS HE ON LITHEM(spelling)? ANY CHANGE WILL CAUSE HIM TO GO OFF THE DEEP END AND TURN TO DRUG USE, HE WILL THINK THAT THE WHOLE WORLD IS AGAINST HIM.I HATE THAT YOU ARE HAVING TO GO THROUGH THIS AND I FEEL FOR YOUR DAUGHTER. MY SISTER WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET THE ATTETION BACK ON HER IF IT IS ON SOMEONE ELSE IN THE FAMILY. TRY GETTING HIM INTO A PROGRAM SOMEWERE THAT CAN GET HIS MEDS RIGHT. STATE MENTAL HEALTH IS A GREAT WAY. GOOD LUCK!!

Hi J.,

My niece is bipolar and ADHD. The biggest problem is that once they are on the Bipolar meds, they miss the highs and want to stop taking the meds. They don't "need" them in their opinion. Often, they stop and then try to self-medicate by drinking. Sorry to be the bearer of such great news, but if you know what to watch for, it can make it easier.

Good luck!!

i have been dealing with bi-polar my entire teenage/adult life. watch out for zoloft its so bad for children. i was taking a lithium compound that worked much better the best way to describe how i "get" besides the ups and downs is that i crave attention (this is typical in bi-polar) wether its my actions or feeling bad for myself or lying whatever i need people to pay attention to me and at the same time insist that i am completely independent and that i need no one. its a very bizarre state of mind and hard to exaclty explain my husband says im like a child that i never know what i want or how to behave...these are probably things your child goes through too...im am 26 now i take no meds (not always happy but i am content) i have a child and a career and am a regular functioning adult...so it can happen that way keep the counsling and watch the meds they are dangerous

J.
I'm so sorry to hear about all the hardships and obstacles your family is going through. I was reading your email over and I thought that I might be able to offer some help. I shop with a company that makes products from all natural ingredients. They don't have any toxic chemicals in them and no one can be hurt by them. I love that because I buy all my personal care and cleaning products from them. They are a wonderful company registered iwth the BBB for their ethics and integrity. There are so many companies out there that are putting harmful chemicals in their kids' products! It makes me so mad that they can get away with that. Anyway, I digress. The reason I'm telling you this is becasue I know that the products have been really helpful to kids with ADHD and bipolar among others. I have some testimonials saved in my email that I'd love to forward to you so you can check them out. Let me know if this interests you at all. My stepson is being tested for add and he's improved a lot with his ability to focus just by taking some of the kids vitamins and other supplements. So I know it works and it's all natural so there's not risk of addiction or the other side affects that happens with meds. I have also posted some good info on my myspace page if you wanna look that over. that is at http://www.myspace.com/workinwithateam
J.