Bipolar DC/Teens

[elizam]

I seem to recall a few have posted about this subject. How did you find out? What made you pursue the dignosis?

 

I am scared my teen has it, but for some reason I can't quite understand, I am reluctant to start the process. Part of the problem is he is very resistant to counseling, etc.

[Ottakee]

Scroll down to the bottom of this page and there will be links to other threads on bipolar that have been posted here before. Those might help you. You could also search this forum for bipolar.

 

http://www.bpkids.org and http://www.bipolarchild.com are good resources.

 

For bipolar you really need a top notch pediatric/adolescent psychiatrist that knows a great deal about bipolar. Medication is the key to treatment and counseling is often used as a support to the medication.

 

My 12dd has been on meds for bipolar since she was 3. With the right meds she is doing very well.

[MicheleB]

I seem to recall a few have posted about this subject. How did you find out? What made you pursue the dignosis?

 

I am scared my teen has it, but for some reason I can't quite understand, I am reluctant to start the process. Part of the problem is he is very resistant to counseling, etc.

When my dd was in sixth grade, she was already in therapy for a generalized anxiety disorder and "aggressive" behavior (hitting, hurting siblings, losing control over things, etc).

 

When she entered sixth grade, which was her first year of middle school, she couldn't handle it all. The passing classes, friends/social aspect, higher expectations from teachers, keeping assignments straight, etc., was all to much and she became very depressed. She also started obsessing about hurting herself.

 

Long story shorter... she ended up in a children's psychiatric facility for five days or so and was diagnosed with BP disorder.

 

I had for a while somewhat suspected that she may have BP. Just due to her extreme silliness, her "short fuse", hurting her siblings, etc.

 

Since then, she was on an antidepressant and 2 mood stabilizers. She's been off the mood stabilizers for a while now and just on the antidepressant. She seems to be doing OK like that, however, (she's 14 now) when I'm not on top of her medication and she "forgets" to take it, she gets unbearably nasty and then, depressed.

 

I agree with Ottakee that you need a really good pediatric/adolescent psychiatrist to evaluate, diagnose and treat. I am going to have my dd's re-evaluated soon and see if the diagnosis is still bipolar disorder. Just because I see other issues going on as well with her.

 

It *is* hard. It's really kind of scary. I have BP too and as an adult, it can be overwhelming.For teens, I can only imagine how difficult it must be. But the right medications make ALL the difference in the world.

 

As for therapy, I hear you. My 14 yo dd "remembers" her therapy when she was 10-11 as sessions where her out of control behavior was called into focus and she was held accountable for it. Of course, she didn't like that. But I know it was helpful to her. I think one of the best things teens and adults with a new BP diagnosis can glean from therapy is how to cope with it, recognize their symptoms, learn how to pace themselves, etc. It doesn't have to be all negative....