[fullmetal2]

Hello all,my 8 year son has had issues since he was an infant.he has always been really smart,but different..his doctor told me when he was about 2 that he was the worst case of ADHD she had ever seen,also that he was obsesive compulsive,and possibly had tourettes.next with a therapist she threw in oppositional defiant. I learned about adolecent bipolar and it was my son. everything they said. my son is currently being evaluated by a psychologist who also agrees with me about him being bi polar. I am wondering if there are any other parents here with children who are bi polar. my fiance thinks he is also bi polar,but im not so sure in his case. any other parents, i would look forward to talking with you and learning how you help your bi polar child.

[blueoctober]

I don't have children fullmetal2, but I wanted to welcome you to the site. Is there a history of mood disorders in your family? My only suggestion is to have your GP refer your son to see a Psychiatrist (ideally a Psychiatrist that specializes with children/mood disorders).

[Anneinside]

I haven't read it but this book,
The Bipolar Child: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood's Most Misunderstood Disorder -- Third Edition

is supposed to be good.

[Anneinside]

Forgot to say you can find it at amazon.com for a reasonable price.

[Mac Murphy]

My pdoc also works with a lot of kids and he was telling me about a new study that is linking ADHD in kids and bipolar in adults. The study was essentially saying they are the same illness that manifests itself differently in kids and as they go through puberty the illness evolves into a bipolar disorder that is more common in adults. The treatment for kids is much different however because their systems can't handle all of the same meds. Find a good pdoc for your son...and MAKE SURE they really work with kids...not just a doc who works with adults and will sometime work with kids. If you have a children's hospital nearby try to find a pdoc through the hospital as they will be far more able to help your son than a non pediatric pdoc. Best wishes.

[mgran]

My son isn't bipolar (at least I hope not) but he's aspie and very moody, with a strong tendency to depression. I know how worrying it is to watch your child go through something so serious. You've had good advice, I think... find out through a children's hospital who the best doctors are in your area for childhood psychological disorders.

[fullmetal2]

Thank you..Thank you all. we dont have a children's hospital close but he does have a good pdoc.he tried him a week on adderral and when my son lost 4 pounds and was basically a zombie he took him off and refered us to the psychologist who is my therapists husband.he agrees with me on the bi polar,but he is still evaluating my son to be 100 percent sure.my son has been on and off a suicide watch since he was 3 yrs old and told me he shot himself in the head when he was 16(past life recall) he has told me many times when he is down that he wants to die,thinks the world would be better without him,ect... we are on a new road with him,a new understanding.before everything was a fight,now armed with new knowledge,new tools. we are working to lessen his sadness,help him not think that suicide is an option. thank you again, all of you for the wisdom you have shared. thank you.

[mudgey]

My son was first diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome, then with OCD, ADHD, ODD, and mood disorder (bipolar). Doctors don't like to use the term bipolar for children as they think it is too early to diagnose. I'm also wondering why you think you child might have Tourettes. Does he tick? Does he have motor and vocal tic that have lasted over a year? The biggest issue for me is never knowing which disorder is taking over for the moment. TS causes rage as well as bipolar and ODD. Plus, he is 10 and some of his actions are just normal 10 yr old boys. He looks like a normal child but is behind in maturity for his age. School has been tough. We have been thru lots of cocktails of meds. Abilify seemed to help the best with the bipolar part. We get the big end of the depression too. His cycle isn't necessarily consistant. He doesn't cycle fast or slow. It just happens. We have yet to figure how to treat the ADHD as most meds are stimulants and kick up the tics. I worry about our schooling getting worse in middle grade and when puberty kicks in.