We finally met with a phychiatrist yesterday. He seems to think that my DS has bi-polar as well as ADHD. He's started him on a low dose of Risperdal that we'll ramp up and see how that works. It actually came as a huge shock to me that that is what he thinks it is. DH has General Anxiety Disorder and that is what I thought DS was showing. In the Dr.s time with DS DS was doing his "constant, rapid talking". He said this type of rapid talking when DS is on a high dose of Concerta is more like bi-polar. He explained that this "motor driven" aspect is also more like bi-polar.
I read the article posted by OlderMom.
It opened my eyes to bipolar as I really don't know that much about it yet.
Anyone else have a child with the same DX?
I can send you to a site where a lot of kids have that disorder.
Lots of company there.
my son is bipolar.... i remember hearing those words for the 1st time coming from the doctor... it was pretty scary and it still is... is your son in therapy? it does help ALOT.... how old is your son? good luck and remember we're all here for you...
bipolar can look like adhd,depression,anxety,odd,ocd.. in my eyes bipolar is all the disorders wrapped up in one... a good book to read is "THE BIPOLAR CHILD". it really does explain the disorder very well.. does bipolar run in the family?
He is only 7 yo. and is in therapy. Although, the therapy, untill now, has been primarily working on problems in school. We have suspended the therapy sessions until we have the Respridal at the right dosage. Dr. has him on .25mg for a week to increase to .5 after that. We go back in 3 weeks to evaluate that.
I was fully expecting the dx of anxiety, given the family history but was thrown for a look with this. Thanks for the link oldermom. I'll check that out tonight.
I have bipolar, and I agree with SHari. Without my meds, I have symptoms of SEVERE anxiety disorder with panic attacks, mild OCD (thoughts I can't control that are very upsetting), I was classically ODD as a child (but ODD isn't a stand alone disorder--there's a reason for the ODD behavior) and depression is part of bipolar (mania/depression). It came out as anxiety and phobias as a child and moved onto the real thing as I got older. I was a very anxious child who bit my fingernails to the nub (I still do). I cried at the drop of a hat and raged about once a month (I'm amazed that some kids actually rage every day. Must drain the kid dry. It's such an emotional and horrible expeience for the chld). I would buy "The Bipolar Child." It's a great book.Bi-polar doesn't run in the family at all. Actually, I can't think of anyone on either side that is bipolar.
Thanks OlderMom, I wasn't aware what the symptoms of bipolar were. The only thing I knew was the extreme ups/downs and I don't recognize any downs in my son. I'm going to look for the book you recommended. Some of the symptoms you mentioned are exactly what my son does and some of the things that the Dr. mentioned too. Wow, really eye-opening.
Thanks!
Thanks for the info, Janna. Don't worry about being negative. That's some of the stuff I need to know about. Unfortunately, the excessive talking, hyperactivity is something that my son already has, even on a high dose of Concerta. I'm certainly watching him very closely. The risperdal seems to already have worked on his (I call it verbal hemmorhaging) incessant, rapid talking.
Toni
My son is Bipolar and has ADHD (and also has PDD).
Just a note about Risperdal - keep your eyes open. Are you keeping a journal or log of your son's behaviors daily? If not, you may want to start doing this so you can track if it's working or not.
Dylan has been on Risperdal THREE times.
Children that are dx'ed with a mood disorder, especially Bipolar, should be placed on a MOOD STABILIZER first (Lithium, Depakote, Lamictal, Tegretol). This is stated in The Bipolar Child. Risperdal is an atypical antipsychotic, and atypical antipsychotics are not for long term use. They are used in conjunction with a mood stabilizer, once the mood stabilizer has reached a theraputic level, to help with other issues like hyperactivity, impulsivity and lack of attention.
If you notice increased talking or excessive hyperactivity or any problems while your son is on Risperdal, you should call your psychiatrist right away. We've had disasterous experiences with this medicine (sorry to be negative, I do know a few people that have had good success with Risperdal, just sending a warning).
Hope it works for you.
Janna
Did your son have the rapid speech before meds?
My dd's friend is ADHD and she talks so fast, no one can understand her! She is by no means bipolar.
Bipolar in my son shows itself as---irritability(which can be depression in children). My son has never had a typical depressive episode--just irritability. He also has periods of hypomania. He also went manic on prozac. He was first dx with anxiety disorder at 4y.
He rages. It used to be for 10-20 min tops!! But it was the intensity that made it a rage. He was on bipolar meds for 1 year(5-6yo)and we took him off. He got an additional dx of ASD. So I wanted to try the natural route to see if maybe he is just ASD and not bipolar(many children are dx bipolar first and then it changes to ASD). He has done OK without meds. Spring break came and it threw him off routine. He was not able to get back to routine at school. He starting raging really bad nearly every day. The rages have now increased to 1+ hours. Needing restraining every time. To my surprise---ASD kids do this also. We started our risperdal back after severe raging 2 days in a row and attacking his psychologist. He still rages--but less time and easier to calm.