seen my daughters md today, was told if wearen't going to give her meds there was nothing she could do!?

Question

md said she could not attend school if she wasnt on meds. second week without meds no problems in school.
daughter was having problems with meds(becoming hyper, disorientated, and full of emotions with confusion) we as parents didnt believe stimulants were what she needed.
we believe she is bipolar(at 6yr)and has been since 3yrs.
Dr will not fantom this
why??

Answer 1

See a pediatric psychiatrist, or a psychiatrist with a specialty with children. Childhood bipolar often is misdiagnosed as ADHD. Stimulants won't work if the ADD or ADHD is not the problem, as you probably already figured out. If your daughter does have bipolar, it will be best to get her on the right meds sooner than later, which it sounds like you've already figure out, too.

A big consideration in going with the BD dx is whether there is major recurring depression, bipolar, or one of the schizos in your family tree. BD is thought to be inherited. That's not a prerequisite, but it's a real consideration. It definitely is something to share with the psychiatrist. In any event, you need to take your kid to the right type of doctor. GPs and Pediatricians often aren't that versed in mental illnesses or MI medication - even when they think that they are.

Childhood mental health issues can be very difficult to properly diagnose. Although you may suspect one thing, it may very well be something else. You really do need to work with a specialist. And... medication discontinuation comes with withdrawals and potential side effects. It should not be done without coordination with a doctor, even a reluctant one.

Seriously, take your daughter to the right type of doctor. I've seen childhood bipolar go misdiagnosed and his youth was much rougher than it had to be.

Answer 2

I'm not sure exactly what the heck you are talking about from your post, but here goes:

As I understand it, your daughter has "issues", you took her to the doc, she was put on meds, you didn't like the meds, and so you took her off them (great, btw, did you even ask about withdrawal issues first??), and now your doc says she can't attend school without meds?

Couple of things:
A) NEVER take a child off a medication without consulting your doctor. This is dangerous, especially with psychiatric meds.
B) She may be fine in school right now, because depending on the meds she was on, she may still have residue of them working in her body.
C) You need to discuss your daughter's situation with your doctor. If s/he's insisting only ONE method of treatment, ONE med is appropriate, you need to seek a new doctor, as yours is ignoring your concerns. But I doubt that---you need to come up with a new treatment plan for her, because it sounds like she NEEDS it. If the current one isn't working, try something new, you NEVER just give up.
D) It's nearly impossible to diagnose kids correctly at that age, and certainly not as a layperson--YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED. If you don't like what your doc has to say, change docs. But don't dare to (self-diagnose) (your own family member) (who is too young for an actual diagnosis)--those are three HUGE mistakes.

My little sister has been exhibiting mood swings, irrational fear, and a myriad of other mental illness traits since she was born. Her older brother is schizophrenic, and other issues with anxiety and depression run down one side of the family. I know what you're going through, my family has lived with a "crazy child" for years.

But if it's been bad enough in the past for the doc to not want her in a public place without medication, her problems are beyond your ability to control---keep trying to find a qualified doctor/psych/therapist to handle them. But you are going to have to deal with the fact that a doctor will be trying out different options with her---to avoid her hurting herself or you, or someone else. Don't take her off meds again without consulting someone.

Answer 3

You can always get a second opinion but I am not sure what it is you want your MD to do for her. There is no "magic wand" that can make this go away. Get another opinion if you don't like the first one but keep in mind that there is little or nothing that any physician can do if you refuse to use medications.

Answer 4

Often medication is changed several times until the best one for that individual is discovered.

Answer 5

Because your doctor is an idiot - my doctor prescribed me the wrong bloody antidepressant. As a general rule, doctors aren't particularly clued in to mental health medication. Psychiatrists are much better people to go to about this kind of thing.

Answer 6

I agree, your doctor is an idiot...time to find one that really knows what the heck is going on..she might just need something for being a little hyperactive,..the meds' might be doing this to her...I do NOT believe, at three years old she is 'bipolar'...no way...Did you give her any of the vaccinations? do NOT give her any of the garbage that this quack is laying on you to get rich..if she is doing fine, then let it be...now a days, many doctors are all about making money, and that is the bottom line

Answer 7

get a new doctor and some counseling for your daughter.