[Welder]

I have ADD and bipolar and my 13 yr old daugther has ADD and depression, she is on meds and has just started seeing a T. She is having some trouble with her grades in school. She has been the victim of a recent bullying situation that is now over but triggered a episode of depression that seems to still be going on. She has had an onging addiction to her iphone for about 6 months, ever since we got it for her. She has had recent problem of buying apps and games from the app store on her phone. I gave her my apple id to get free apps and games off the app store with the understanding she would ask before buying anything that cost $. We just found out she racked up a huge debt of buying apps for her phone without asking. It is linked to a bank account. I don't know what to do. I have been through similair situations with myself and my wife who didn't react very well. I am not reacting well toward her, my daugther with her recent bad grades and now a spending spree. I have taken her iphone away for now but not sure what to do, she is on her phone when she should be studying for school. I don't how long to take the phone.
With that background here's my question:
Is her spending spree a result of impulse from ADD or hypomania that she might have bipolar. She is on meds but not a mood stabilizer.
I don't know what to do.
Having been there myself, I know hounding her doesn't break the cycle, but I feel I need to followup with her on these things. I can't find the line.
Thanks

[MotherMarcus]

Originally Posted by Welder

I have ADD and bipolar and my 13 yr old daugther has ADD and depression, she is on meds and has just started seeing a T. She is having some trouble with her grades in school. She has been the victim of a recent bullying situation that is now over but triggered a episode of depression that seems to still be going on. She has had an onging addiction to her iphone for about 6 months, ever since we got it for her. She has had recent problem of buying apps and games from the app store on her phone. I gave her my apple id to get free apps and games off the app store with the understanding she would ask before buying anything that cost $. We just found out she racked up a huge debt of buying apps for her phone without asking. It is linked to a bank account. I don't know what to do. I have been through similair situations with myself and my wife who didn't react very well. I am not reacting well toward her, my daugther with her recent bad grades and now a spending spree. I have taken her iphone away for now but not sure what to do, she is on her phone when she should be studying for school. I don't how long to take the phone.
With that background here's my question:
Is her spending spree a result of impulse from ADD or hypomania that she might have bipolar. She is on meds but not a mood stabilizer.
I don't know what to do.
Having been there myself, I know hounding her doesn't break the cycle, but I feel I need to followup with her on these things. I can't find the line.
Thanks

Hi Welder, welcome to PC. Having been diagnosed with ADHD and Bi-Polar Disorder late in life, I definitely understand the whole frustration, anger, mania thing.
You wrote that your daughter is going to a therapist. Have you considered sitting in on a session with her ?
Does your daughter have a psychiatrist ? You maybe able to provide some more background information that can help shape her course of treatment.

[Crazy Hitch]

Hi Welder,

You've come here for advice so I'm going to share my two cents worth.

Bear in mind I'm no medical professional. I'm just offering my opinion.

Based solely on what you've written I'd have to say there simply isn't enough information for me to speculate that your daughter should be screened for hypomania. There just aren't enough symptoms, based on your description. There could be others that I just haven't heard about.

She's 13.

Yes she understood the arrangement of downloading the apps.

But. She's pushing boundaries, which may not be a characteristic of anything besides a teenager seeing how far she can push it.

Addicted to her phone? Oh yes, at that age she would be (we didn't have technology like that back in our day).

Having worked extensively with teenagers for years I'd have to say in terms of medical diagnosis beyond what she has been given, I'd let it be.

I understand your anxiety due to family history.

If, and only if, your daughter starts displaying or has displayed behaviors beyond what you've wriiten here and it's causing you further concern by all means get a further assessment / second opinion and take it from there.

I hope you take this all as my personal point of view.

[gayleggg]

Just be sure to change your password for purchasing apps.
Only a psychiatrist should guess at a diagnosis, especially in someone so young.



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[Victoria'smom]

First link her account to a pre-pay card. Seriously consider taking the phone for now. give her a Pre-paid phone to text. It's not a punishment it's to protect your finances. Have you talked to her teachers about why her grades are so bad? Does her school have a site parents can see the grades? Is she misbehaving in school? All these need to be taken into account before deciding. Does she have a lot of friend's? do you have other children? their ages? Is your house child proof?

[pink&grey]

13 is still very young, I think, for a BP diagnosis, or much suspicion, unless she is showing severe signs. As a Mom, I would tell my son that I am very disappointed, take the phone until he shows more responsibility and work on a plan to pay the money back. And, of course, let the counselor know this happened. When she does get the phone, if you need to give her the password, you can also set it up so you get an email anytime there is a purchase made. I do that with my kids. Good luck. Parenting is tough!

[~Christina]

I personally would not take away the phone fulltime. Im a parent that thinks a kid needs to have a cell phone in todays wacked out world, But you can say hand over the phone until your homework is done and I have approved it each nite.

Shes way young to try and get a label slapped on her, and that's nothing you want done unless it is a certainty.

Buying of apps , yeah Gayle has the right plan for that nonsense,

Kids are kids ... shifty things they can be . lol