Childhood Onset Bipolar Disorder (COBPD)
Friday October 17, 2008
I recently commented to Marcia that no more than a day or two goes by before a new headline on the topic of early onset bipolar disorder shows up. Many of these articles are stories about the tragic impact this disorder has had on the family and life of a kid. However, more and more I am seeing solid research findings being presented. This is exciting.
Just a few short years ago, the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents was unheard of. Only in very rare cases did the medical community even consider this diagnosis in teens, let alone in children. During the last few years, the picture has been rapidly changing. Childhood onset bipolar disorder (COBPD) -- also known as early onset bipolar disorder or pediatric bipolar disorder -- has emerged from obscurity.
~ Kimberly
Comments
I truely believe that my son may have some form of COBPD.it Is a very frighteningand overwhelming situation to find yourself in when your 10 year old son is having what seems to be a mental breakdown and you don’t know what to do for him. We just had all hell break loose from out of nowhere this evening while doing homework.all seemed to be fine until he started to throw a fit about having to use nicer handwriting.he started to scribble all over his work.when he was reprimanded he ran out of the house and His father had to chase him down and being him back in. He was crying so hard that he could barely breathe and then started laughing so hard in a split second. Like a switch was flipped off and on for fifteen minutes.please understand that this a very sweet boy and not some spoiled tantrum thrower. Some of the things that we are on a daily basis are:(1) almost always incapable of sitting still and not fidgeting(wringing hands (2)seems most of the time to hav little or no control of his emotions.(extreme highs and lows)(3)completely unable to keep himself quiet for any length of time. He constantly has to be talking or making some sort of sound with his mouth or sing.(4)yrunle concentrating in school(5)when he is going these moodswings and depressive moments he says that he feels like he is crazy. this is causing major disturbances for our family life (we also have a 7 year old) our marraige has fedintely yahen a beating because we are constantly rhiung about how to deal with him. he is like a little hurricane of emotions that we desperately love and want to protect.this has been going on for about 2 to 3 years but until recently we chalked it up to kind of mental growing pains I guess.it has progressed to something much scarier.Can COBPD symptoms begin that early ? I am taking him to the family doctor this week and I have no idea what to say or ask. I am so embarrased I feel like we have failed him in some way. Can anyone help answer any questions?
I am a single mom of two wonderful boys. My youngest son age 10 is bipolar. I know from the time he was born there was something wrong. He was a biter,fighter,runner,and moody. He was kicked out of several daycares because of this. When he was in Kindergarden the doctor said he was ADHD. The meds did not help. By the time he was in 2nd grade he had spent most of his time in the office. His 2nd grade teacher was wonderful. She did everything she could to help. Midschool year he was sent to a special school. They did every test to see why he acted out in school. The school doctors sent him to a specialist. They said they had not seen anyone this young (age 8 at this point) showing all the signs of Bipolar. The doctors did not want to call him “bipolar” so they said he had ODD, ADHD, DEPRESSION DISSORDER, AND EMOTIONAL DESERBURD. Now that he is almost 11 and we are with another doctor they said all that is true and the Bipolar is the cause of it. With the right meds he is a different child. We still have to go through the fits moodswings but not as bad. The doctor and myself and a little consired that the upcoming “changes” that all little boys go through can make this better or worse. All I can say is you HAVE NOT failed as a parent. You are going what you know is right! Don’t give up on him or yourself. Let your child know how wonderful and special he is. Let him know you love him. As for your other child make sure you spend time with him alone. Don’t compare the two children either. You are not alone.