Any one have a child with bipolar disorder?

Question

My son is 4 y.o with Bipolar Disorder. I was wondering how the disorder effects others home lives, and how they deal with it.

Kat... please don't label me. You don't know enough about my situation to judge us. I did not "Label" my son as Bipolar. The testing he had done at his psychologist/psychiatrist did. He DOES HAVE BIPOLAR!

Answer 1

Hope it may help other answerers,

Children with bipolar disorder tend to have rapid-cycling or mixed-cycling. Rapid cycling occurs when the cycles between depression and mania occur quickly, sometimes within the same day or the same hour. When the symptoms of both mania and depression occur simultaneously, mixed cycling occurs.

Often other psychiatric disorders are diagnosed in bipolar children. These other diagnoses may be concurrent problems, or they may be misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder. Depression, ADHD, ODD, schizophrenia, and Tourette syndrome are common comorbid conditions.

Misdiagnosis can lead to incorrect medication. Incorrect medications can trigger mania and/or suicidal ideation and attempts. The energy, impulse control difficulties, and lack of maturity in bipolar children can make suicide risk a serious concern, even with children younger than 8 years old.

Currently, bipolar disorder cannot be cured, though psychiatrists and psychologists believe that it can be managed.

The emphasis of treatment is on effective management of the long-term course of the illness, which usually involves treatment of emergent symptoms. Treatment methods include pharmacological and psychotherapeutic techniques.

A good prognosis results from good treatment which, in turn, results from an accurate diagnosis. Because bipolar disorder continues to have a high rate of both under-diagnosis and misdiagnosis, it is often difficult for individuals with the illness to receive timely and competent treatment.

Bipolar disorder is a severely disabling medical condition. In fact, it is a leading cause of disability in the world, according to the World Health Organization. However, with appropriate treatment, many individuals with bipolar disorder can live full and satisfying lives. Persons with bipolar disorder are likely to have periods of normal or near normal functioning between episodes.

Ultimately one's prognosis depends on many factors, which are, in fact, under the individual's control: the right medicines; the right dose of each; a very informed patient; a good working relationship with a competent medical doctor; a competent, supportive, and warm therapist; a supportive family or significant other; and a balanced lifestyle including a regulated stress level, regular exercise and regular sleep and wake times.

There are obviously other factors that lead to a good prognosis, as well, such as being very aware of small changes in one's energy, mood, sleep and eating behaviors, as well as having a plan in conjunction with one's doctor for how to manage subtle changes that might indicate the beginning of a mood swing. Some people find that keeping a log of their moods can assist them in predicting changes.

The goals of long-term optimal treatment are to help the individual achieve the highest level of functioning while avoiding relapse.

The following studies are ongoing, and are recruiting volunteers:

The Maudsley Bipolar Twin Study, based at the Institute of Psychiatry in London is conducting research about the genetic basis of bipolar disorder using twin methodology. Currently recruiting volunteers: identical and non-identical twins pairs, where either one or both twins has a diagnosis of bipolar I or II.

The MRC eMonitoring Project, another research study based at the Institute of Psychiatry and Newcastle Universities, is conducting novel research on electronic monitoring methodologies (electronic mood diaries and actigraphy) for tracking bipolar symptom fluctuations in Bipolar individuals who are interested in self-managing their condition.

Answer 2

No, but I do have a Mother and a Brother who are bipolar. It had a major impact on my life growing up because I never knew what to expect when I came home from school. Would it be happy, upbeat Mom or vicious, mean Mom. As long as they stay on their meds they are quite normal. The problem comes when they go off the medication. Your son is very young and a lot of research is being done on bipolar people. I hope that in the future they will learn how to better deal with it and keep it under control. I wish you well.

Answer 3

The most important thing is that you have had it diagnosed. Knowing what you are up against will make a big difference in how it impacts your life. My brother-in-law was an absolute terror as a child... but much of it was because my in-laws did not know what was wrong with him. Turns out my mother-in-law was bi-polar, my wife was bi-polar, etc. It is hereditary, and they pretty much all had it. Getting the necessary medication and understanding the problem relieved a lot of stress and anxiety from the situation.

That said, I would get a second opinion. Mental illnesses amongst young children are frequently misdiagnosed. I am not questioning the diagnoses you have, it is likely correct, but make certain! Things will be much more difficult trying to treat your "bi-polar" kid if it turns out he is actually ADD or schizophrenic or autistic or something.

Regardless, the best thing to do to deal with this is to educate yourself on the problem the best that you can. The more you know, the easier it will be to handle the situation and know what to do. Someone above here already did an excellent job of breaking down the basics of it, but learn more. Also, make sure you get some time to enjoy yourself. Getting that babysitter is well worth it! Occassional time to recharge will make it easier to cope. Fun time with (and without) your kid will create bonds and relax you. Communication with your friends and family helps even more.

In any case, having bi-polar children is not the end of the world, as you already know. My wife grew up bi-polar, and she is a wonderful and competent person. Make sure you remember that there is nothing "abnormal" about your child. We all have our obstacles, and bipolar just happens to be his. Good luck!

Answer 4

Of course, the choose will appear at what's nice for the child. Being Bipolar and not taking medication or in some circumstances taking the medicine are severe. The youngster would be in grave threat. Be certain the judge is conscious of it.

Answer 5

I had a child with bipolar disorder,(now age 26). Now I have 2 grandkids with the same disorder. It's NOT an easy thing to deal with.
The most I can say is they explode frequently and not a lot has to set them off. It's important not to provoke them but at the same time you must still use discipline with them, otherwise, THEY learn to use it to get their own way.
When our kids explode, we don't try to talk, reason, discipline or anything. We just put them in a safe place, like their room and let them vent it out and ignore it. When they calm down, THEN we try to talk to them and find out what the problem is and how to deal with it. It is almost like they are someone else when they are having this "meltdown" and they just need space to work through it. IF you try to talk or deal with it when it's happening, it will only make it worse.
Our kids have trashed their rooms, torn down the curtains, thrown things, etc. We have just learned to clear their room of glass, other people and pets, and let them go at it. It usually lasts anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes and then they are worn out. (Never yell, tease, try to reason with or discipline them when they are in this mode.) They really can't help themselves! We have found that time out alone for their "meltdown" is usually sufficient, then we can talk about it.
We have all learned to just ignore it and leave them alone until they are done. Even the little kids know to stay away and leave them alone. We just go about whatever we were doing and when they are done, they will come out of their rooms.
If we are in a store, we leave. It's usually not that big of a deal. It is a family inconvenience at times, but if you just swoop them up and leave to a private place until it's done, they are fine.
Certainly tell their teachers at school and explain to the other family members that they can't help themselves. It's like a brain rush and they can't control it. The most important thing is lots of love and understanding helps them AFTER their episodes. We have found that counceling helps and maybe when they are older, some anger management classes. We bought our kids a large airfilled punching bag and lots of throw pillows to squeeze, punch, throw, kick and whatever. I truly feel for you and your child. It's not an easy thing to deal with. Best of Luck to you both.

Answer 6

of course, the decide will inspect what's ultimate for the newborn. Being Bipolar and not taking medicine or specifically circumstances taking the medicine are extreme. the newborn might desire to be in grave possibility. be sure the decide knows of it.

Answer 7

You and your spouse have to work on your own behavior, you should be seeing a counselor. Your child is young enough that you and your spouse can make a huge difference. Also 4 years old, is a little young to be placing a label on your child. That makes me really sad. Maybe you should seek a second opinion.

Answer 8

Wow...I didn't know that disorder could be diagnosed at such an early age. I hope the best for your son and your family.

Answer 9

I AM ALMOST 39 YRS OLD..HAVE BIPOLAR ..I KNOW THE SYMPTOMS WITH IT , AND YES , IT DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER BUT MEDICATIONS DOES EASE SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS
1..LOW MOOD
2 ..HIGH MOOD
3.PROMICOUS TYPE BEHAVIOR
4..IRRITABLE
5. ANGER
6.OBSESSIONAL THINKING
7..SUICIDE THOUGHTS OR ATTEMPTS
8.ANXIETY , PANIC ATTACKS
9..MIND JUMPS AROUND
10..HYPERACTIVITY