[kerynn42711]

I live in Iowa and I have an 8-year old son that I think might be bipolar. He was diagnosed with ADHD and put on meds, which worked for quite awhile, but he goes through periods where the meds don't even seem to do anything for him. At school he has difficulty getting his work done, flat out refuses to do it, and is snotty to the teacher. At home he is very argumentative, can't take the word no, has huge temper tantrums, is sometimes aggressive, hyperactive, etc. Last weekend he threw a 3-hour long fit because I didn't let him get something at the store. At school today I received a call because he ran the halls with his arms flailing above his head and ran from anyone trying to stop him. He finally ended up calming down, then laid on the floor in exhaustion and unable to do anything. This is getting bad and I don't know what to do. I can't control him because he's so defiant. He listens to my husband more than me. He was away from me for one night and started bawling after I called him because he missed me so much. He still uses pullups at night cause he wets the bed and he often sleepwalks and has nightmares. I'm at a loss! I need help contolling him and we need news meds! Who do I go to for an actual bipolar diagnosis?

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by kerynn42711

I live in Iowa and I have an 8-year old son that I think might be bipolar. He was diagnosed with ADHD and put on meds, which worked for quite awhile, but he goes through periods where the meds don't even seem to do anything for him. At school he has difficulty getting his work done, flat out refuses to do it, and is snotty to the teacher. At home he is very argumentative, can't take the word no, has huge temper tantrums, is sometimes aggressive, hyperactive, etc. Last weekend he threw a 3-hour long fit because I didn't let him get something at the store. At school today I received a call because he ran the halls with his arms flailing above his head and ran from anyone trying to stop him. He finally ended up calming down, then laid on the floor in exhaustion and unable to do anything. This is getting bad and I don't know what to do. I can't control him because he's so defiant. He listens to my husband more than me. He was away from me for one night and started bawling after I called him because he missed me so much. He still uses pullups at night cause he wets the bed and he often sleepwalks and has nightmares. I'm at a loss! I need help contolling him and we need news meds! Who do I go to for an actual bipolar diagnosis?

Take him to a licensed therapist and/or child psychiatrist. Either professional should gather lots of information and not just give a two page questionnaire.

Best wishes

[bluemountains]

Here are my suggestions as a teacher and a mom of a bipolar child and an ADHD child. First of all, I doubt that the doctors will diagnose a mood disorder at a young age. It was a stretch to get my son diagnosed at 12. Meanwhile, you need to check to see if the meds can be adjusted/changed to help him. There are many med choices and dosages that may help. Also, as already suggested, find a therapist who can help you and your child. Make sure the therapist really does work with children such as your child. I have found that some therapists just give a child a fun playtime instead of addressing the child's needs outside of therapy. As soon as my child started playing chess in therapy we quit that therapist. I can play games at home.
Good luck!
Bluemountains

[Eliza Jane]

You might find some info from the juvenile bipolar research foundation at jbrf.org. They have a "for families" section on their webpage.

I think you are right to look into this further. It sounds like more than ADHD.

Good luck,
EJ

[wildflowerchild25]

You can also think about a different school placement - I don't know if he's in public school, but there are alternative schools that can sometimes help with behavior if started from a young age. The school I work in uses the Teaching Family Model and it is very successful provided the students are started in Elementary school - if they start in high school it seems like it's too late to shape their behavior :-/ many other schools use different behavior models but he might benefit from a skip up in structure. he would have to be classified for special ed though.

I would also try to find a support group in your area for yourself, it must be so hard dealing with all this! I know my son is only 2 1/2 and i thought his tantrums were super crazy and out of control but when I asked people I realized it was just normal. Not to say your son doesn't have issues just that it could help you feel less alone to find people who are trying to deal with the same issues.

I don't know if he's in therapy but talking to a behavioral therapist could benefit you as well because they can give you tools to use at home to help him out.

[Victoria'smom]

I would get an evaluation at a children's hospital through their out patients service. Call them personally to find out what referral is needed. You will be asked about your pregnancy, any newborn issues and what age he met each major developmental mark (look up a birth-three developmental list to refresh your memory), family history (including siblings, parents, cousins, your and husbands siblings, grand parents, and great- grand parents this includes drug issues, early deaths and why, make a mental health family tree to help remind you), disapline method, what you have tried (include sports, alternitive treatments, and medical intervention), hospitalizations, physical issues, surgeries (when and why ), abuse and neglected, and school and peer issues. Voice your behavior concerns and when they started, medication history, send or bring a teacher observation letter iclude their conserns, iep, psych evaluations, why you disagree with previous dx.

Do not expect a bipolar dx right away. Adhd/depression/anxiety was my sons first dx for his second opinion, his record still says that though he's treated for bipolar. My son keeps a daily mood chart using a serise of 'smiley' faces, (morning, lunch, after school, dinner, bed), I take notes of behavior and daily events, as well as major day events, and questions after he 'goes to bed'. Have his teacher writing what kind of day he had as well as home work and issues, write down time it took to complete each piece of homework. The more information you, his therapist, his psych. Dr, reg. Dr, iep team snd teacher have the more successful your son can be, I'd hesitate to inform the school of his new dx because accomidations are similar but stigma is different. Best of luck

[BlueInanna]

Hi and welcome, sorry for what you and your family are going through. I agree it sounds like more than adhd. Went through similar issues with my now 17 yr old - ends up with a bp and adhd dx.

We tried many meds - they didn't help us - in fact risperdal caused a growth of left breast on my son. Sorry to scare you, but psych meds are heavy duty and parents aren't really told about these risks. My son will need surgery now, and is embarrassed to take his shirt off in public.

Therapy helps if you can find the right match. Your son deserves an IEP, especially for behavior/discipline in school. There is a great book Lost at School & 1-2-3 Magic I recommend. I'm afraid that the school will discipline him too harshly, isolate him, destroy his self-esteem if they are not kept in check. Your son has something going on, has right to a fair and appropriate public education. With an IEP in place, he can be allowed so many accomodations, like a safe place to go to calm down without having to wait for teacher approval. The self - esteem is so at risk at this age.

Those are my initial thoughts - hang in there - there is help for him and you, the school usually try to deny any ownership to help fix the problems - blaming it on your parenting, wanting you to put him on meds, it's pretty horrible and rough out there. but there is help. glad you found this place, wise moms, teachers, people here.