[BioAdoptMom3]

Our DD was recently diagnosed at a residential treatment center (2 months ago) with bipolar mixed states. We have been reading a lot about BP in children (she's 14) and still cannot figure this one out. Is this her type of BP, such as BP I, BP II, etc. or is it just a phase of BP that she was in? I am not even sure I am asking the question correctly, or if it makes sense. Has anyone here dealt with that? Can you offer suggestions and tips for dealing with a teenager who has that? She is currently doing pretty well on Lithium with Melatonin for sleep, though I know she needs something more, probably for anxiety. Thanks for any help you can give this ignorant parent !

Nancy

[Curiosity77]

MIxed states are a phase of the illness, and can happen in Bipolar I and II. The other phases are euthymic (normal), depression, hypomania, and mania. Bipolar people typically cycle through these phases, some quickly (rapid cyclers), and some more slowly. What a mixed state means is that you have the symptoms of depression and mania/hypomania at the same time. How it looks for me is that I'll feel very depressed and usually suicidal, but at the same time energetic, anxious, and agitated. I don't really sleep or eat, I am sped up, and I do risky things. It's more dangerous than straight depression for me, because I feel just as depressed, but more agitated and energetic enough to get into serious trouble. That's how it is for me, but others might experience it differently.

I don't have any advice on parenting a teen with bipolar. 14 is young to get the diagnosis, but it's good because she can get treatment now instead of years of being undiagnosed and causing damage. Are there any support groups for parents that you can attend?

[Mickey4333]

I am diagnosed with BP II, and have had some mixed state episodes. Mixed state symptoms can vary. When mine starts, I will be hypomanic but at the same time I have depressive symptoms. Later, when I am coming down, I will be mostly depressed with a couple episodes of hypomania during the day. "Mixed" only refers to her symptoms shes still diagnosed either BP I or II As far as how to help her, the most important thing is to be there for her. If she was to mention suicide, take her to the doc or ER immediately. Also, get her into some psychotherapy. They are trained to help the patient learn how to cope.

[LacunaCoiler]

I agree with Mickey, I think one of the best things that can help your daughter is psychotherapy. I have bipolar 1 with mixed and rapid cycling (yaaa me!) and when I'm in a mixed state I'm the biggest danger to myself and others. Like Curiosity said, I have the energy and recklessness of a manic episode and the depressed thoughts all together and that's when my last two suicide attempts happened.

I refused therapy and fought my doctor and my gf for a couple of years before I finally decided to give therapy a try and to be honest it has been one of the best aspects of my treatment. I've learned to identify different triggers and situations and how to handle them when I am in a manic or mixed state.

[Victoria'smom]

Mixed is a cycle. Its call mixed because you take a little symptoms of mania (for me its Restlessness, increased energy, and less need for sleep and Racing thoughts but negative) and depression ( for me its intrusive thoughts of guilt, hopelessness, death and suicide usually with a dash of depersonalization to make it that much more dangerous). My son's psychiatrist says the most common cycle that kids have.

As for what I do is write. I write like crazy, its the only thing that helps my racing thoughts, take my "as needed" anti-psychotic, reality testing and seeing my therapist more. Sometimes a med change if its that or hospitalisation.

As for anxiety I'm on viibryd for anxiety and depression.

[BioAdoptMom3]

Thank you all so much for your support and suggestions! She is pretty leveled out now on her meds and seems so much better! She is in therapy and has been for almost 3 years, since she started having symptoms of what we, her pediatrician and her then psych believed were anxiety and depression, along with adoption issues. She has recently changed therapists and she adores her new one, so hopefully things will go even better with her seeing him!

Nancy