Raising A Bipolar Child
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Raising a bipolar child is no easy task
It will be painful at times, and frustrating beyond belief at others. There will be tears...lots of them. Then just when it seems like you can't possibly make it through another day, let alone the next hour, you will feel such joy and happiness that you forget about all the bad things, if only for a little while.
I guess what I'm trying to say is you learn to hold on to the good times when you have kids like ours; you hold them close to your heart and treasure them like the finest of jewels. It makes the bad times more bearable if you can learn to do this.
A lot of us have tried different parenting skills, as I'm sure you have. Some work for a little while and others are a bust from the get go. Eventually, you find one that works for you and that's what you use. Nothing about our kids is conventional, so don't waste your time trying them. We learn to be very creative in our parenting!
Within this lens, I hope that you will find comfort in knowing that you aren't alone. I have tried to include things that I found helpful with my own children and maybe they will help you as well.
Is My Child Bipolar?
I have been asked this question time and time again by parents throughout the years. First off, let me state that I am NOT a medical professional. I am just one parent who has educated herself about this illness. For informational purposes only, I am passing on what I have learned.
Before The Bipolar Diagnosis
Things to consider
Before looking to the extreme, you must first look to the obvious. You must first rule out all possible physical causes for your child's behavior.
The most obvious test that your child's doctor should have run is on the Thyroid. If the Thyroid hormone levels are too high or too low, severe mood swings can result like you see in bipolar disorder.
Some forms of epilepsy, especially temporal lobe epilepsy, can cause erratic behaviors such as you see in bipolar disorder.
Allergies can also cause rages similiar to what you see in children with bipolar disorder.
After physical causes for behavior or mood problems have been ruled out, additional investigation begins.
Here is a wonderful page with some symptoms that are common with our bipolar kids. This is not a diagnostic tool by any means, only some things to look out for.
Bipolar disorder is hereditary, so a doctor will first ask for your family history for evidence of depression, alcoholism, other mood disorders, bipolar disorder, suicide attempts, etc. (This includes parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins). If the answer is yes, your child may have the genetic predisposition to bipolar. That does not mean your children will develop the symptoms of bipolar, it means they are at higher risk.
Talking To Your Child
About their bipolar diagnosis
I found this book to be a wonderful resource when it came time to discuss information about their bipolar diagnosis with my boys.
We made the decision to be open with them. You will need to decide whether this is the best option for you and your family.
Brandon and the Bipolar Bear: A Story for Children with Bipolar Disorder (Revised Edition)
Amazon Price: $8.31 (as of 02/16/2012)
A powerful, yet simple fictional story about a young boy living with bipolar disorder. Readers learn about Brandon's symptoms, fears, and treatment from a child's viewpoint.
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ADHD Or Bipolar Disorder?
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder can be present at the same time. This is called "comorbidity". Bipolar symptoms and symptoms of ADD/ADHD can also overlap, so a correct diagnosis is critical. Psychiatrists are the best prepared medical professionals to sort through the symptoms and diagnose these disorders.
IMPORTANT
· ADD/ADHD treatment often includes a stimulant like Ritalin. A bipolar child who is treated for ADD/ADHD only can be pitched into the manic phase by the stimulant. The bipolar mood disorder must be treated and symptoms stabilized before a stimulant is introduced.
· Anti-depressants in the absence of mood-stabilizing medications can also cause mania.
Dr. Charles Popper wrote a wonderful article about the similarities and differences between the two. If you want to read it, click here.
The Bipolar Child
The Bipolar Child: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood's Most Misunderstood Disorder, Third Edition
Amazon Price: $9.83 (as of 02/16/2012)
For any caregiver experiencing life with a bipolar child, Demitri and Janice Papolos's The Bipolar Child will be an indispensable reference guide. The material is presented clearly, with lots of helpful charts and lists to aid in receiving proper diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care.
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Mood Charts
I highly recommend charting your child's moods or cycles as they are known to be called if you are bipolar. It's relatively simple to do, and there are a couple of really good ones on the Web that you can download.
The benefit of charting is for the psychiatrist to see if there is a definite pattern or cycling going on with your child.
A Day in the Life of Bipolar Children and Their Families
A DVD enhanced with music, photos, and additional footage.
Delivered with the compassion and humor her audiences have come to expect, Janice Papolos paints a revealing picture of a day in the life of children and adolescents suffering with bipolar disorder, and of those who love them.
More About Childhood Bipolar Disorder
Online Resources
- Bipolar Child: Information about Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
Resources for Children with Pediatric Bipolar Disorder and their families.
- Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens
An easy-to-read booklet on Bipolar Disorder in children and teens that explains what it is, when it starts and how to get help.
- Child and Adolescent Bipolar Disorder
NAMI fact sheet.
- Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
Vital information on bipolar disorder in children, teens, and young adults.
- Practice Parameters
Practice Parameters for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and
Adolescents With Bipolar Disorder- Red Flags: Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Children
A list of the common symptoms of manic depressive children as presented in 'The Bipolar Child' by Demitri Papolos, MD and Janice Papolos.
Children with Bipolar Disorder on Amazon
Questions? Comments?
Feedback in general
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SylviaRolfe
Mar 24, 2011 @ 11:32 pm | delete
- I love your lens. I have my own detailing my own personal journey and struggles ( http://www.Squidoo.com/my-bipolar-world ). I'm gonna grab the book for the little kids (the bear one) as I am pretty sure at least one of my children is showing symptoms of being bipolar. Thank you for creating such a wonderful lens.
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Norma_Budden
Jan 21, 2011 @ 12:52 am | delete
- A very informative lens about a subject I can never go wrong in learning more about. I enjoy the presentation of your lens. Enjoy your angel blessings. :)
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darciefrench
Oct 26, 2010 @ 2:59 pm | delete
- Excellent lens. I am raising a parent-diagnosed bipolar child. We have been working with her since she was born with colic and sleep problems- it's been evident since birth that she is wired differently than our other children. My own bipolar patterning seems to have been triggered by her cycling back and forth between extremes; indeed it seems there is a genetic component that is environmentally exaggerated. I have thus far avoided medicating her, but she is only seven, and with a counselor at school she seems reasonably ok socially (so far). We do foresee many issues on the horizon though- her brain chemistry is simply not in alignment with that of the other children. The social aspects of raising a bipolar child could be a lens on its own. Good work, and many thanks.
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TheWhistler
Feb 20, 2010 @ 10:47 am | delete
- Well done, there was a recent documentary on television regarding raising children with Bipolar. I couldn't believe how people misunderstood this illness and their lack of regard for the children who suffer from it. Thanks for the lens.
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luvmyludwig
Feb 3, 2010 @ 4:40 pm | delete
- I just wanted to revisit this lens and tell you that you're doing a fantastic job getting information out to those who need it. Thank you for all you do.
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Macs Bio
by Macs
Hello and welcome! My name is Tammi, but you can call me Tam to keep it simple. I'm diagnosed with Charcot Marie Tooth disease, and being on online he... more »
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