ADHD/BIPOLAR | ADHD Information

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Everyone's always teling me I might be bi-polar.  But the docs say I'm lacking the depression.  Now I wonder if it's just REALLY deeply buried or something.If you have mood disorders or substance abuse in the family tree, those are red flags for bipolar. Nobody here can tell you how to tell. It's best to go to either a Child Psychiatrist (with the MD) or a NeuroPsycologist. In some cases, kids with bipolar get worse on ADHD medications. Also, bipolar kids are more extreme about tantruming and destruction. Again, we can't tell you, but a good credentialed professional can get closer to the core issue. Good luck! [QUOTE=lsubanks]

How can you tell when I child is diagnosed with ADHD but may really be bipolar?

Thanks

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i think sheri.m has had this problem before.  i'll see if i can get her attention for you.

Thanks to all.  I am Bipolar II and I sometimes wonder if my son may also be.

How can you tell when I child is diagnosed with ADHD but may really be bipolar?

Thanks

  A child psychiatrist evaluated one of the kids in my family. And we were told he is Bipolar w/adhd. Before that diagnosis we were told by the ped doc he had ADHD. None of the ADHD meds ever helped him improve. If your told your child has ADHD and the ADHD meds don't help, they might not have ADHD, or they might have ADHD with other issues as well.

 

  In our situation since he's been on anti-psychotic meds, he's really improved alot. And the improvement happened quickly. Now the doc added in an ADHD med, and again we see some improvement. It's the first time in 8 years I've seen any improvement in this kid's behavior.

 

  A proper diagnosis & treatment plan are a lifesaver & sanity saver !

 

  Good luck !

 

 

Hi again. You can PM me again, if you like. I have bipolar II. I always thought my daughter who abused drugs may have a mild mood disorder. Throw in recreational drugs and she was a wildwoman! She is 22 now and no longer using recreational drugs and no longer defiant towards me. If you want to talk again, I'll be happy to do that. It's very hard when they're teens because the CRAZY laws say the kids can refuse meds and my daughter started Depakote then threw it out (she was 16). It's not easy with out-of-control teens nor is it your fault nor does this mean she will be this way forever. But going through it...wow. [QUOTE=lsubanks]

Thanks to all.  I am Bipolar II and I sometimes wonder if my son may also be.

[/QUOTE] hello and welcome..... if you have a history of bipolar in your family there is a good chance that your son is bipolar.. we thought dillon was adhd but his behavior is so extreme... not only is he hyper but he is VERY violent,swears,has trouble sleeping at night, he has gory(sp) ideas. the word NO seems to set him off..there really is a great book that you should read.. "THE BIPOLAR CHILD". also if your child is bipolar ADHD medication could send him into a manic state. Thanks to everyone.  It is very comforting to know that I can come to this board and get support and advice, and know that I am not the only one in the world having difficulties with a child. 

In addition to "The Bipolar Child".....get ahold of a copy of "The Explosive Child: A New Approach in Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children"  by Ross Greene PHD.  He trains parents on how to handle explosive children.  Great tips in that book. 

Okiemom

okiemom38967.3160416667I have been on thyroid medication since age 6 months. I took 300 mg a day when I was pregnant...I was 37 when he was born. Which itself was a miracle. I was told I couldn't have children. I found out 2 weeks before my 15 wedd. annv. I am also diabetic 2 for the last 5 years...it runs in my fathers side of the family. I am hypothyroid also. We are watching for thyroid problems in the kids since 3 out of 4 gp's also have thyroid problems. 1 out of those 4  also is diabetic type 2.Thyroid/diabetes problems are a autoimmune diseases. A Metabolic problem.I was fine before thyroid wise we though.  I also hear if going on while pregnant can effect the baby.

My nephew is bi-polar
I have an underactive thyroid condition and now my son is adhd.

are all these in the same area medically as being common factors?

[QUOTE=okiemom]"The Explosive Child: A New Approach in Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children"  by Ross Greene PHD.  He trains parents on how to handle explosive children.  Great tips in that book.Okiemom[/QUOTE]

Wow.  That is quite the title.  I know it is NOT a humorous issue, but sometimes that feels a loose interpretation of my one of my twins.  Or me.

"Terrie may become agitated if things do not go according to plan".

I'm Google-ing Amazon for that book right now!

terrie38981.4230439815