Pediatric Bipolar Disorder?

Question

My son is 5 years old and was diagnosed with Pediatric Bipolar Disorder a year ago and now the medication that he was prescribed (Abilify) seems to not be working. I'm very frustrated and have problems disciplining him. Any advice?

I have tried time outs, revoking of privileges, grounding and yes even spanking and NOTHING seems to work. He just doesn't seem to care and I'm at my wits end!!!!

Has anyone else been through this before? We are working with his Psychiatrist with the meds issue but it's slow going.

he was diagnosed at 4 due to some serious issues and things that he had done. Also there is a very strong family history of Bipolar.

Answer 1

I am Bipolar but this sounds like ADD to me I am no DR but please get a second opinion.

Answer 2

Maybe he was misdiagnosed or he's not taking the right medication. There is a lot of controversy surrounding this new diagnosis. To me it sounds more like a child with behavior disorders not a mental disorder. And at age five it is too young to really know whether you are correctly diagnosing him because he will change a lot through the next ten years including hitting pubery. If I were you I would get a second opinion. And if this is the right diagnosis then you have to know that sometimes it takes time to get the right medication at the right level. And you can't expect the medication to make his behaviors go away. What that medication does it give him some cognitive help in handling stress or even normal events. It does not automatically change him in to some new and improved kid who doesn't act out. You need to contact Early Intervention in your town and get some help from a skills trainer. You will be able to find Early Intervention in the phone book or call your county mental health.

Answer 3

Please, for your and your son's sake, get a second opinion. I've NEVER heard of a child that young being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Your son is SO young, and there could be downsides to putting him on medication so early in life. I was put on anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication at the age of ten, and have been on them for 10 years now... and who would have thought that I would become dependant on my anti-anxiety medication? To be honest, scientists DO NOT know the effects of long term use of anti-psychotics and anti-depressants in very small children. I would ask his psychiatrist about possibly getting some therapy for your son, because it is VERY beneficial for him to express his self and his feelings. The better you understand the way you son feels on the inside, the better chance his psychiatrist will have of correctly diagnosing any problem if there is one. I will most certainly pray for the both of you, and his doctors, for you all to find the answers you need. God bless.

Answer 4

his psychiatrist needs to change his medication now!he will be hyper a lot,depression,talk fast etc.spanking your kid?not good it's not his problem it's his disorder.it's the problem.he may need to be put on lithium.it may work it's helped a lot of people.but that's for your psychiatrist to decide.bipolar disorder is also rare in children.he may have bipolar type 1 or 2 but i'm sure.but thinking it's type 1.

Answer 5

i hate the fact that they diagnose children with psychological disorders they are kids they are going to act strange but anyway he may do this because he knows eventually you will give up and let him get his way ask your psychiatrist about some behavior modification techniques and you have to be persistent with these and eventually your son will learn to behave but only if you are persistent there isn't any giving in even once its hard to do but it works out for the best

Answer 6

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