My 8 year old was just diagnoised with bi-polar. We have been going through a lot of hard times over the years. Does anyone have any ideas, advise or any clues of what we will be going through now that bi-polar is what he has? Medication?
2007-07-10 05:23:50 · 15 answers · asked by Purple Ice 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
the link below is to a great group for relatives and carers of people with bipolar maybe you could come and talk to someone there and they will help you with any question you have. I know all to well the genetic links involved with bipolar as I have it and my daughter has it also have a long family history or mental health illnesses like bipolar. good luck take care.
2007-07-14 04:28:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bipolar seems to be a diagnosis that is in vogue now days. The diagnostic criteria is so broad and up to interpretation by the medical practitioner. I am an adult diagnosed with bipolar and do horrible on the "usual" medications, so I am maintained on a drug regime that is really not supposed to work for adults diagnosed with bipolar. So am I really Bipolar ?? The same may be true with him. Get a second and if necessary a third opinion on the diagnosis. Sometimes a psychotherpist (PhD) not a "counselor" is more adept at diagnosing, because they are looking at it objectively and not from the stand point of a psychiatrist, whose main objective is to prescribe medication. With the right diagnosis and medication, if needed, he can live a normal life with you and he learning his symptoms and managing them. You take control of the situation, do your own research, read about the medications used in children, you be the advocate for your child. Do not blindly accept the word of any health care practitioner without your own research and the knowledge you have of your own child, you know him best. Ask the doctors why they diagnosed him with bipolar, have them show you the criteria,not from some pamplet put out by a drug company but from the Psychiatric Diagnostic Criteria, the official word, have them be specific. You have that right to do that, remember you are the consumer and you are paying them, you have a right to know about your son and what is in the best interest of him. If medication is prescribed, read about it. A good place to find patient information is on Askapatient.com, where you can information from actual patients taking these medications. The "official" websites for the drugs will give you there opinion because they are trying to sell the drug. Best of luck to you and your son, I hope you are able to find the best care for him and lots of self care for yourself.
Peace and Blessings
2007-07-18 02:22:01 · answer #2 · answered by wherehaveallthehippiesgone 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OMG!!! He's just a baby!!! I have not heard of this in someone so young. The medications to treat bi-polar are EXTREMELY powerful and must be monitored by a physician and a therapist which would require ADULT communication from your 8 year old. This sounds dangerous and scary!
Please, please, please get at least 2 more opinions before you allow your son to be put on some of the most powerful/mind altering medications out there!
2007-07-15 23:14:56 · answer #3 · answered by Ophelia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get another opinion. It's important to always get a second opinion on things. Doctors are human and do make mistakes (and bipolar is rather trendy these days).
Medication is the usual treatment for bipolar disorder in adults and older teens and sometimes in children. It really depends on the severity of your sons symptoms. Often it's not reccomended or a good idea to put young children on medications. They're so young and still developing, can't always communicate their needs properly and the side effects suck!
I think you should talk to the doctor that made the diagnosis, talk to the doctors who give you the second opinions (if they confirm the diagnosis) and then, if not earlier, seek out someone who specializes in this type of disorder in children. For now the best course of action may be some hardcore therapy.
2007-07-10 05:34:21 · answer #4 · answered by qwertatious 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
That is a really young age to get that diagnosis. Bipolar disease classically takes a long time for diagnosis since patients in the "up" phase feel good and do not seek treatment.
In adults, the classic medicine was Lithium, but now anti-seizure medications like Depakote and Lamictal are used to stabilize the mood, atypical antipsychotics like Risperdal are used to control racing thoughts, and antidepressants are used to control depression, but with a great deal of caution since antidepressants can trigger mania.
I would get a second opinion.
2007-07-10 05:29:52 · answer #5 · answered by XOUT 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Was he diagnosed by a psychologist or a medical doctor/psychiatrist?
Has he ever been diagnosed with ADHD? If so, did medication help?
I think they should completely rule out ADHD before he gets a diagnosis of bipolar at such a young age. I agree with the other people who said to get a second opinion.
2007-07-17 12:39:36 · answer #6 · answered by majnun99 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a second opinion, then a third. Being diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder has become as popular as ADHD. At 8 years old, these kids are still growing, as are their minds. You said yourself that you folks have been going thru rough times, maybe he is simply acting out. Please get different opinions from different doctors. Do not automatically assume that he needs meds. Good Luck!!!!
2007-07-10 06:25:31 · answer #7 · answered by pupcake 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What drug are they trying to sell you. I mean direct you to so they can get a kickback from their pharmaceutical rep. Get more opinions if you feel necessary but the true answer you already know, you know you child better than anyone else. What do you think? Do you think he's bi-polar or just a normal 8 year old kid that is learning life's ups and downs like we all did. (without drugs)
2007-07-10 05:36:12 · answer #8 · answered by orno11 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
being diagnosed with bipolar will stay in his medical records forever as well as on his school records. i would do my own research and get opinions from different doctors before accepting any diagnosis.
also many of those medications are very strong for adults imagine for a young child.
we are the only ones that can protect our children, make sure that you have covered all of your options, first.
i know it's hard but, keep your faith up.
2007-07-10 05:38:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Your doc or pediatrician needs to refer you to a specialist and work with the medications and keep the communication lines open with the prescriber.
Don't be afraid to ask alot of questions...no question is a dumb question, so ask away.
I wish you and your son best wishes. (Once you get him stabilized on a medication...make sure he stays on it...very important).
2007-07-17 16:50:22 · answer #10 · answered by prius2005toy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋