14 yr. old diagnosed with Bipolar disorder

[mindytom121]

My foster daughter was just diagnosed with bipolar after a psych eval. Does anyone have any experience with this? We now have to find a psychiatrist who will prescribe medication for her and I have been told that it takes a long time to even get an appointment. At this point I feel I need to understand anything I can about this and just hold on for the ride until we can get her moods regulated.

[Scarlett]

My foster daughter was just diagnosed with bipolar after a psych eval. Does anyone have any experience with this? We now have to find a psychiatrist who will prescribe medication for her and I have been told that it takes a long time to even get an appointment. At this point I feel I need to understand anything I can about this and just hold on for the ride until we can get her moods regulated.

 

My experience is that my brother has suffered his entire life, nearly, with something. Only diagnosed recently age 37 with BP. He is on meds, but I think much of the damage to him could have been avoided had he been diagnosed at 14 instead of 37.

 

It takes a while to regulate the meds. Don't expect an instant fix.

[mindytom121]

Thanks Scarlett. I suppose we've hung on this long so what is another few months or more. I have been warned by her therapist and caseworker that it is a long process in getting an appointment with a psychatrist and then getting the meds right. We are hoping that we can at least get something started by the time school starts in the fall.

[Ottakee]

My 12dd has bipolar. She has shown symptoms since infancy and was diagnosed formally at 5 but started getting treatment at 2 1/2.

 

http://www.bpkids.org

http://www.bipolarchild.com

the book, The Bipolar Child

then google "pediatric bipolar treatment guidelines" and print it off, highlight this, etc.

 

It CAN take a while to get in to a psychiatrist but I would keep pushing. Who did the eval? Can they start her on meds? Will her primary doctor at least try something while you wait? Maybe a peds. neurologist with experience could help. I would keep calling, pushing, calling again, etc. I had over 100 foster kids and you have to push even harder to get a foster child treatment.

 

I would also seek out a full physical for her including blood work. Get her TSH (thyroid) checked and if it is above 3.0 see an endocrinologist. Thyroid can mimic bipolar or interfer with proper treatment. Also have them do all of the basic blood work so that you have a good baseline before starting meds---saves time once you get into a specialist as well.

 

http://www.omegabrite.com can help with mood but aren't a substitute for meds in many cases.

 

Also focus on a higher protein, less refined carb diet. Regular exercise. Good reg. sleep habits. Time out in the sun every day. A good multivitamin, etc. These can help but medication is almost always needed as well.

[mindytom121]

Thank you for all your suggestions and info. I will check out the websites rght away. Her pediatric Dr. said she is not comfortable prescribing anything, however, once the psychiatrist does prescribe something and it works she will be willing to maintain. As far as the diet and exercise goes that could be tricky as I'm sure you've experienced the control battles that can happen when you try to do something different with food. This girl also cannot exercise as she is RAD and hyper vigilant. So exercise is probably what she needs most, but she is so tired from trying to keep watch on things every day and trying to make sure everyone outside the home thinks she is 14 (when she is really 3 emotionally) is totally exhausting and draining to her. She cannot add one extra thing besides shcool and home life. Well, I really appreciate your experience and input. Thank you!!

[homeschool2boys]

I know a lot about bipolar disorder, it runs in my family. I was wondering, did a psych doctor do the dx? If not, I would go back in for a second opinion from a qualified psych doctor.

 

Also, I wanted to say it takes sometimes a very long time to get those meds balanced right and while they are trying to balance them you should really be watching her for side effects. Some of those meds can cause extrapyramidal side effect that can be permanent. Did they say if shes BP1 or BP2? That is something you really need to know as far as her treatment is concerned. BP1 is much more severe than BP2 and her meds should reflect which ever type she has.

 

I would really watch her on some of the antipsychotic meds if they perscribe her them. I cant stress enough to look up the side effects of the meds that they give her because most of them give at least some major side effects that she will have to deal with. Alot of them cause major weight gain as well. I would just watch her closely if they medicate her.

[mindytom121]

A PHd. did the eval--that is a psychologist--right? We haven't got the official diagnosis yet, however, the Phd. who did the eval called my daughters therapist as she was scoring everything and told her that she (my daughter) was severely bipolar and knowing how long it took to get an appt. with a psychiatrist she was calling to get the ball rolling. We should get the official report Monday or Tuesday. If I had to guess which kind of bipolar I would say it is rapid cycling. She goes from extremely happy to extremely angry to extremely sad in a matter of 1/2 hour. She also does not have the psycotic episodes (well, she has had one that we know of, but we don't think that was related to being bipolar). Are the people in family on medication? I am wodering if it is possible to be bipolar and live somewhat normally without meds. Thanks so much for your input. I will be sure and look at side effects of whatever meds she goes on.

[TFJ]

Sometimes neurofeedback can help at least lesson the amounts of meds needed, which can make a big difference in long term medication situations. Best wishes to you! Make sure you have support for yourself, too! A good massage is definitely in order, maybe for both of you! :grouphug:

 

 

My foster daughter was just diagnosed with bipolar after a psych eval. Does anyone have any experience with this? We now have to find a psychiatrist who will prescribe medication for her and I have been told that it takes a long time to even get an appointment. At this point I feel I need to understand anything I can about this and just hold on for the ride until we can get her moods regulated.

[homeschool2boys]

A PHd. did the eval--that is a psychologist--right? We haven't got the official diagnosis yet, however, the Phd. who did the eval called my daughters therapist as she was scoring everything and told her that she (my daughter) was severely bipolar and knowing how long it took to get an appt. with a psychiatrist she was calling to get the ball rolling. We should get the official report Monday or Tuesday. If I had to guess which kind of bipolar I would say it is rapid cycling. She goes from extremely happy to extremely angry to extremely sad in a matter of 1/2 hour. She also does not have the psycotic episodes (well, she has had one that we know of, but we don't think that was related to being bipolar). Are the people in family on medication? I am wodering if it is possible to be bipolar and live somewhat normally without meds. Thanks so much for your input. I will be sure and look at side effects of whatever meds she goes on.

 

 

I am not a doctor but I would think that if she is BP1 with rapid cycling she would have to be on meds. The people in my family have to take medication. The good news though is when they get the meds just right they are just as normal as everyone else and you cant even tell they have BP disorder. I have heard of people having some relief with councling and differnt types of therapy but I still think they still have to be on the meds.

 

 

From what I understand BP disorder is a physical condition of the brain (biological is probably the better word), kind of like having any other physical disease. I am using this for an example, BP is not like having diabetes. But say a person did have diabetes, they would have to take meds to control it probably for life. From what I understand BP is the same way. I do know that scientists dont completely understand BP disorder. Its probably because its in the brain and they dont completely understand how the brain works. They have found some genetic markers for it, in the last few years, so they might have a test for it in the future.

[MicheleB]

I was diagnosed with BP about 8 years ago. I don't have mania but rather a LOT of mood swings. I have found help (after LOTS and LOTS of experimenting through my psychiatrist) with an anti-depressant and a mood stabilizer. When I was first dx, I was on five different medications, so I am glad to be down to two. I think that kind of thing tends to work itself out and that there will be times in life more medication is needed and times when less is needed.

 

My dd was dx with BP when she was 12. She tends to get hypomanic... lots and LOTS of silliness, laughing, talking, etc. So hers is different than mine! She was on three meds and is now on one, though I don't know how long that will last. I think one of the harder things about adolescents is that puberty and all those changes really do affect the whole BP issue. In fact, mine was dx post-partum.

 

Dd was in therapy for about a year. I found it helpful for her (she didn't like it) in learning *how* to control herself, how to take cues from people (something she has trouble with), how to control her anxiety as well. I would like to see her go back to therapy but she doesn't want to. She's 14 now so it's kind of a situation where if she's not willing to get the benefit from it, it's probably not worth it. Not that she has major, troubling issues so much as I desire for her to learn to live with her BP without feeling it's a stigma. Her biggest struggle is having to take meds and knowing that most of her peers do NOT.

 

HTH. :)

[mindytom121]

Michele B,thank you for that line about the fact that you don't have mania but lots of mood swings. I haven't really noticed mania in my daughter, so that is why I was so shocked with the diagnosis. When I think of BP I tend to think of mania. However, her mood swings are incredible. Sometimes we just sit there and say "What just happened to set her off?" One minute she is fine and the next she has gone from 0-60 in about 15 seconds! I notice that lately she keeps talking about her "moods" also so perhaps she is wondering what is going on (we haven't told her yet--we are waiting for the PHd to go over that with her.) Thanks so much for sharing about you and your daughter--I pray that you will have many blessings as you both learn to live and cope with BP.

[lwilliams1922]

my dd was diag with ADHD when she was 4.

We did meds for a few years but it seemed to bring more issues that we started with.

 

At 8 or 9 BP was added as the primary diag.

We then went on to try the BP meds. we found one that worked for a couple of years then fizzled out in terms of effectiveness.

 

About a year ago I stopped the meds and started working with a homeopath that had experience / succes in treating this.

 

It has been the best treatment of all! Just last month I got my mom to start treatment as well! DD and my mom's moods/emotions are a carbon copy.

 

Within 24 hrs my moms depression began healing and her mood swings have not been seen in the 2 weeks since she started. That is huge for my mom.

 

hth

[Hebrews3:13]

I was not diagnosed until about 2 years ago. I was actually a "normal" child and hit bottom around 20 with my only major manic episode, followed by a suicidal episode. I then "came out of it" with depression meds, but depression (sometimes severe) has haunted me.

 

I found the hormonal influence of pregnancy to be the proverbial straw that broke this camel's back. I had 3 children in 4 years and literally fell apart. I ran out of anti-depressants- none would work, so they began to suspect something else and came up with bipolar.

 

A mood stabilizer (after several other drugs) helped the most initially for about 2 years, then I began to have severe headaches from the medication. I just quit taking it. (I don't advise this.)

 

I began homeopathy also (use it on my special needs kids with MUCH success) and added fish oils after that and I have been medication free since March of this year. (BTW Dr. knows and approves).

 

I have tended in my 30's to be more moody/irritable then swing to depressed- not very manic. I still get more irritable around my cycles. Hormones really do a number on me and also did a number on my lamictal when I took it. We tried and tried to adjust the dosage mid-cycle it never worked and I would have bad days each month. Things are better now.

 

I hope you get answers. I do agree about homeopathy though. It is one of those lost arts that is coming back, but for some reason when we crossed the Atlantic did not bring with us. The Queen of England still has a homeopath and it is widely used in Europe and India particularly, but not here.

 

HTH,

Laurie

[lwilliams1922]

 

 

I began homeopathy also (use it on my special needs kids with MUCH success) and added fish oils after that and I have been medication free since March of this year. (BTW Dr. knows and approves).

 

 

 

I hope you get answers. I do agree about homeopathy though. It is one of those lost arts that is coming back, but for some reason when we crossed the Atlantic did not bring with us. The Queen of England still has a homeopath and it is widely used in Europe and India particularly, but not here.

 

 

 

I TOTALLY argee about homeopathy!

after YEARS of struggles I found one that made a complete turn around in my mother AND DD.

 

You do have to find a good one though. After about 6 months of research I settled on Pierre Fontaine from NYC. I've never met him in person as he can work by phone if you can't get into one of his offices.

 

he has a site with lots of good info...

 

www.homeopathicservices.com