bipolar/ADHD/??? in young kids?

Question

My 7 year old has been taking the following meds since he was 6: risperdal, abilify and dextroamphet. My ex-wife told the dr's my mom has bi-polar (not confirmed) and they diagnosed my son with it. Now my ex is concvinced he needs these drugs. I have been against the drugs since the beggining. He has gained a lot of weight. He takes a pill "to help him sleep" but when he's with me on weekends, he sleeps fine. He had some trouble adjusting to a new daycare and school lasy year and think my ex jumped the gun and now my son is on these drugs, is over weight and I am powerless. If there's a Dr or someone with experience on this topic, please advise. My ex-wife has sole physical custody and on the divorce decree I have them every Fri-Sun. (starting a year ago I moved to every other weekend) Do I have any say in medical decisions? Thanks for any help provided.

Answer 1

I don't know about your legal position, but I do have a BIG problem with bipolar diagnosis in young children. See a discussion I started here: http://www.crazyboards.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=14496

There is little or no information on the effects of the heavy duty psychiatric drugs used in children. I take both anticonvulsants and antipsychotics, and believe me, you do not want to mess with this stuff.

Best of luck.

Answer 2

Well, there a couple of things that are left out of your question. First, why did your wife think your son needed to be on medication to begin with? I assume there were some behaviors associated with this. Secondly, is the Dr. your wife took your son to a psychiatrist or just a regular m.d? If your son is being prescribed those type of drugs by someone that is not specializing in pediatric bipolar that is a very big problem. Only 1 to 2% of the world's population is thought to be Bipolar. It is however gaining a certain popularity and that is causing it to be claimed by many people, however, doctors are generally very hesitant to diagnose someone with this illness. I would first contact the doctor that made the diagnosis and they should allow you to see whatever testing was done, if there wasn't testing, etc, you see yet another problem. It takes a lot more than a family member having "bipolar" to get a bipolar diagnosis but make sure you tell the diagnosing doctor about this issue in case it did play a part in the diagnosis, as heredity is one of the possible causes of bipolar. As far as the weight gain is concerned there are other meds that do not cause the weight gain such as Topamax that are just as effective. The reason he probably sleeps ok when he is with you is because it would take a couple of weeks without meds to really start affecting his sleeping patterns and behavior because it takes that long for it to exit the system completely. If your son is Bipolar you are not doing him any favors by denying it to project an image of "normalcy." It's a very scary thing not being able to control your own feelings and emotions, especially as a child. I don't think that if he is on a mood stabilizer and what not he should need to take a pill to sleep though because that would be a symptom of the mania and should be treated with the stabilizer but your doctor would have an explanation for that. I hope that helps. You do have rights to all this information regardless of divorce, etc, and most doctors would know that.

Answer 3

Yes you do. And you should. If he has any kid of problem he will need all of his families love and support. I have Bipolar. I started going to see a doctor when i was 17. I tried to committee suicide. I have always had problem of these kinds since around the age of seven. My parents were very involved just didn't know what to do. And I had no idea what was wrong with me. That's why I tried to end my life. Sometimes ADHD turns into Bipolar. If he does have these problems then its good that you ex caught on. A doctor wouldn't put him on those kinds of meds just because. Do everything you can to be part of his life. He is going to need you. Try to go to his doctors app. with him get informed, ask questions. This will not only help you but him in more ways than you can even think of. But plz don't just throw it out and fight about him being on medication. There's nothing wrong with it if he needs it. And yes a lot of these meds make you gain weight.

Answer 4

I am bipolar and have been on meds. forever. Risperdal is a pretty powerful drug used for psychosis. I was only on that in the hospital, it seems extreme for a child. As a parent, regardless of physical custody, you have a say in all decisions affecting your child. You should check your divorce decree to verify that. I would talk to a lawyer if your ex won't listen to you. It sounds like your child does not need these drugs and they are doing more harm than good. You may need a court order to intervein, but you could be saving your child. I'd look into it a.s.a.p. Good luck.

Answer 5

Your wife might have sole physical custody but you have half legal custody with her... and that includes medical decisions. PLEASE take your son to a Dr. of your choice and maybe a therapist of your choice for a second opinion. He might need to be medicated, but not with all that he is given. It is hard to diagnose a child with bi polar or depression becasue this can be acted out in several ways. My son was very angry and that was his depression talking. Eventually...at 17 his mood swings were so unbearable i had him put on meds for bipolar which he does have. He also is ADHD. He take Abilify and Concerta for school but that is it. Tharapy is a must also. Please seek another opinion and tell the Dr. why you wanted a second opinion.

Answer 6

My sister's son was diagnosed with ADD and she put him on a Low GI diet - cut out white bread, white rice and substituted them with wholegrain foods. Also significantly cut down his sugar intake. He's now a perfect angel and no longer has behavioural problems or ADD.

Good luck with it, sounds like half the battle is your ex