From the article: Finding Balance: My Parenting Experience with The Bipolar Child
In 1999, Broadway Books released “The Bipolar Child” by Demitri Papolos, M.D. and Janice Papolos. Many parents, like me, were thrilled feeling for the first time that we were not alone. However, many researchers had concerns that this work was pushed to the mainstream before empirical research studies could adequately vet the theories put forward. Perhaps it is the balance between professional perspective and personal experience that will achieve the best outcomes for our children? Share Your Experience
help me help my son
- I have just by chance or by divine intervention come across this web site and my son ticks about 90%of both criteria for very common and common symptoms for bipolar for yeara we have been struggling with what's wrong with him as a little guy he was very irritable would scream and bite (himself) and bang his head when angry and spit st people if they spoke to him (he had a speech delay) as he has got older (10years) he has continued to be irritable and emotional bit also belligerent and not equating actions with consequences he's not able to relate the previous day's misdemeanors to the next day's learning. I am at the end of all things positive and he deserves so much more than that.
- —Guest Sharon
My son
- I adopted my son Nick out of foster care when he was 4, about a year and a half ago. His home life was chaotic, filled with violence, neglect, abuse and confusion. We were his 7th family in 3 years. He had and continues to be prone to major tantrums and fits, self-abusive behaviors (hitting and biting), very poor sleep (insomnia, bedwetting, night terrors), crying, lethargy and apathy. He has been diagnosed with ADHD, PSTD, SPD and might have a mild form of bipolar. He's only 6 years old...I don't want all these labels stuck on him. He sees a psychologist and occupational therapist each week, and I do sensory , literacy, and fine motor work with him each day. I love him dearly and I'm so glad he's in our family. I just get worried sometimes... I have 5 other children who also have complex needs I need to attend to. So is our crazy, but amazing life.
- —Guest Libby
I am grateful that I read this
- There are so many similarities between this article and my situation with my son. My father was an alcoholic with untreated depression. I struggled for years with depression and anxiety, and wasn't diagnosed or treated for bipolar disorder until my mid-30's. I have seen so many symptoms in my son that it is impossible to deny, yet I questioned whether or not I was seeing them because I expected to. My heart breaks when I see him withdraw during a depressive episode; I know from experience that it can get better. I feel so helpless because I cannot help him because I can't reach him. I am so grateful for the trusting relationship I have with him, and I am hopeful that he will trust in me enough to accept the help he needs.
- —Guest Chester
Confused
- I have custody of my grandson, whom We have raised since birth. We also have the right to decide on visitation from his parents. One being my son who has always been moody and has a true learning disability. His Mother has CP, and depression and aggressive disorders. Reason we custody is she tried to set my house on fire when he was a baby with him on the couch, she set the couch on fire, because of jealousy of the baby. He had night terrors for years they told me he would grow out of them. In the last two years he has gone from being our sweet boy to I can't wait till he is in school again just to get away from him. It makes me cry so hard at times, I'm on my knees praying. He is rude, crude, mean. He does things on purpose. I thought he was wanting more attention but its never enough. But when he gets angry an started raising his fists to me I thought good grief what have I done to this child. He has odd eating habits too. He will fight me till I cant take it anymore when it comes to bedtime.
- —Guest Stephanie
Between Two Disorders
- My 16 year old son was diagnosed BP-NOS at age 8, BP1 with psychotic features at age 11, and Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Type, at age 14. Schizoaffective Disorder really fits, and he is stabilizing with treatment for it. But because it's not as well known - it has symptoms of both Bipolar 2 and Schizophrenia - it's hard to find information and, frankly, doctors that know how to treat it. We're lucky that we live in a big city, and had resources like CABF to help us. But what helps the symptoms of bipolar mania and depression can escalate the hallucinations and delusions of schizophrenia, and vice versa. True stabilization is something, I fear, he will never truly experience. I fear for his adulthood, trying to be a man out in the world is something he desperately wants, and I'm afraid he will never achieve.
- —Guest Chrisa Hickey
Our story
- From the moment Daniel Lee was born he was his own person. He was 6 weeks premature and was 3 pounds an 7 ounces. He didn't sleep. He would take what we all called power naps that lasted only 30-40 minutes. When he started to walk and talk early we were all thrilled, because the doctors all said he would do most things late. He was hyper and into everything. I was already getting the idea he wasn't like other children. Everyone else with the exception of my mother thought I was crazy. As Daniel got older he became more and more violent. I tried everything anyone would suggest. Nothing worked. I had black eyes, busted mouth - he took a toy and broke 2 of my teeth by hitting me in the face. One moment he was so loving, and the next for no reason he was in a rage. After getting him into a doctor who could help us we found out he had Bipolar, ODD and ADHD. He now does well in school and has fewer problems than before.
- —treasurevest
Frustrated
- My oldest has been diagnosed for the past 7 yrs with ADD, ODD, bipolar, and now a mood disorder. Medication has proved more harmful than helpful. After trying 9 different psychologists, she is in weekly therapy after we got a court order for her to do so- prior she refused to participate. Things are a little better. She is now 16. Now, my 12 yr old son who has been diagnosed with ADHD since he was 9 is showing signs of bipolar. I dread going through the fighting and testing we did with my daughter - but his behavior is ruining our family. I spend days crying - wishing I could have my son back. He is an awesome kid when he is level - but I feel like I hate him when he is off. He is spiteful, hurtful, rude, abusive, and tries to lock himself in his room for days - won't come out to eat or anything. Our next step is to try to get him to agree to weekly therapy - medications have been a bad rap for us thus far.
- —Guest Pam
Frustrated
- My child is diagnosed with ODD, ADHD & PTSD. She is eleven and has only been in my care for 5 months (foster child). Anything can set her off. For example, I asked her to had me the remote for the living room tv that she brought in her room and she became defiant, started banging her head, knee and foot on the wall in her bedroom. It took 30 mins for her to completely descalate.
- —Guest Phyllis Stevenson
