[tspencer3]

Having bipolar myself, I know the up and downs of dealing with this illness. NOw my daughter, who is about to turn 7, is exhibiting manias, and the dr. thinks she has early childhood onset bipolar. She is on the lowest dose of zyprexa given which ironically I take also. Has anyone else experienced a child with bipolar? My biggest problem is dealing with guilt- thinking I "gave" her this disease. My therapist says I no more gave her this than someone gave their child diabetes. But I can't get over this guilty feeling. I need advice, prayers, ideas, ect, on how to deal and help her.

[Direction]

My dad had it - I've just been re-diagnosed with it - and I'm watching my oldest very closely.

Guilt ... I can understand how you might feel that way ... but your T is right.

Sending prayers that you may feel at peace regarding this.

Coping with her - I know that the symptoms are a bid different in children with BP....what symptoms are looking for help with?

[SheriP]

My daughter also has bp, and I went through the guilt thing as well. But just like the way I try to look at my own disorder, if she inherited high blood pressure from me, would I still feel guilty? Or if my daughter had inherited my rather large and ethnic nose instead of her father's, would I feel guilty then? (well, being Jewish -experts in guilt- maybe those aren't good examples!)

Genetics...damn them!

My daughter also takes similar meds to mine, but she gets the better ones because she has better insurance under her step-mom's plan.

Know that you are giving her a wonderful head start on a good life by helping her get treatment at a young age. By the time she's an adult, think what wonderful things will be available to help her by then. The only other thing, in my experience, that I think is important is a therapist who specializes in children, and even better is one who is very knowledgeable with bp.

Hugs,

Sheri

[undertheradar]

I too have an 8 y r old daughter that is showing signs of bi-polar. Please know that while they are young, you can teach them tools to cope with BP. When we were younger, no one gave us tools to cope so we abuse drugs, alcohol and other things. Do some research on childhood bp, tools are out there. Glad you posted here.

[tspencer3]

When my daughter started having "fits" of not wanting to go to school ( it esculated bad- trying to clinb out window of car when it was going down road to school, ect) we took her to a child psychiatrist who initially treated her for separation anxiety. She was model child till aboout 5 wks. ago and wham! this mania hit full force speed ahead. She also sees a child psychologist. both dr. are seen 1 to 2 times month. They are great and she loves them. She has alot of rage and anger sometimes when she is in a mania. That is hard to deal with having to calm and try to know what to do. To a stranger it may look like a spoiled child having a tantrum, but it is different. Sometimes I'm not sure the right way to handle it because the 1st response is to ground or spat her for "acting up" I quess that is the hardest part.

[lost2907]

Originally Posted by tspencer3

Having bipolar myself, I know the up and downs of dealing with this illness. NOw my daughter, who is about to turn 7, is exhibiting manias, and the dr. thinks she has early childhood onset bipolar. She is on the lowest dose of zyprexa given which ironically I take also. Has anyone else experienced a child with bipolar? My biggest problem is dealing with guilt- thinking I "gave" her this disease. My therapist says I no more gave her this than someone gave their child diabetes. But I can't get over this guilty feeling. I need advice, prayers, ideas, ect, on how to deal and help her.

Can you please tell me symptoms your child has they are now up to five disorders with my son and I am almost postive its bipolar he is seven but I have not found anyone to talk to till now?

[Trippin2.0]

TS, you and your daughter are in my prayers♥

[lost2907]

Originally Posted by tspencer3

When my daughter started having "fits" of not wanting to go to school ( it esculated bad- trying to clinb out window of car when it was going down road to school, ect) we took her to a child psychiatrist who initially treated her for separation anxiety. She was model child till aboout 5 wks. ago and wham! this mania hit full force speed ahead. She also sees a child psychologist. both dr. are seen 1 to 2 times month. They are great and she loves them. She has alot of rage and anger sometimes when she is in a mania. That is hard to deal with having to calm and try to know what to do. To a stranger it may look like a spoiled child having a tantrum, but it is different. Sometimes I'm not sure the right way to handle it because the 1st response is to ground or spat her for "acting up" I quess that is the hardest part.

I think this is where you reply can you please help me what exactly in mania my son is out of control when he has his fits so bad that I want to call the police when he is having them he is 7 they also treated him for seperation anxiety he was antideprsants for about 9 days ad he is so worse now and anything will set him off and usually the same time everyday?? please help

[lost2907]

not sure if I am replying in the right place but I have 2 reply's on this thread please take the tome to look for them I need help please

[blueoctober]

Welcome Lost2907. An anti-depressant without a mood stabilizer often causes hypomania or mania in a person with bipolar. If your son is being treated by a Psychiatrist let him or her know the symptoms you're observing. If your son is being treated by a GP I suggest you have him referred to a Psychiatrist (ideally one that specializes with children). I'm sorry you're going through this.

[disguise123]

yes get straight to a medical professional. Good luck to u.

[AmaShel567]

I had early onset. It started when I was about 8 or 9. It's hard for a child because they don't always understand why exactly they feel the way they do. I thought there was something wrong with me. Just be there for her.