Posted by whiterabbit on June 19, 2003, at 18:39:19
In reply to Re: Which meds for mania and depression ?, posted by AWorriedMom on June 14, 2003, at 21:52:54
Mom-
I didn't get through the entire thread so forgive me if I repeat any advice from others.First let me say bless you for loving your daughter enough to do this for her. My own mother not only ignored the obvious signs of a serious mood disorder that I was showing from a young age (depression, isolating, insomnia, and self-injury all by the age of 13)she acted as if my behavior
was an intentional ploy to inconvenience her life
and she would constantly chide me to "snap out of it". She never tried to understand or help me, and later in life I didn't get help for myself,
maybe because I was still trying to snap out of it. Or maybe because she made me feel as if I didn't deserve help.My illness went untreated through my 20s and 30s as my symptoms got progressively worse. I did get very sick and caused a great deal of pain and destruction for myself and others. But now I'm recovering with the right medication and good therapy, and I wanted to share with you some of the things I learned along the way about psychiatric treatment. Because I made just about every mistake you can possibly make and delayed
my own recovery in the process...I almost didn't make it. Almost.The first and MOST important step is to find the right doctor. I STRONGLY urge you to consult a psychiatrist who specializes in treating children and adolescents. Through my own career in orthopedic medicine, I know there is an ENORMOUS difference between the skill and training of an orthopedic surgeon and a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Children are not small adults and should not be medically treated as such; your daughter will get optimal care from a specialist in adolescent psychiatry.
Due to differences in brain chemistry, it's not uncommon for a person with bipolar disorder to have a paradoxical (reverse) reaction to some medications. These reactions need to be noted and all your daughter's medications should be closely monitered by her psychiatrist. NEVER stop or start taking psychiatric medications or attempt to adjust dosage without medical supervision - the consequences can be quite serious. These are
powerful drugs and they're capable of wreaking havoc in the mind with improper use. They also have the ability to improve your daughter's quality of life to a degree that, right now, you hardly dare to dream of. But first you need the right doctor, who will supply you with the other two things you need: the correct diagnosis, and the best treatment for that diagnosis.Learn as much as you can about your daughter's condition and treatment: knowledge is power. The more you learn, the less frightened, confused and helpless you'll feel. You'll be able to make informed observations of your daughter's behavior
and symptoms and discuss these important signs with her psychiatrist. These behavioral "clues" help the doctor make needed adjustments in medication. A terrific website for information on mood disorders is www.nami.org - NAMI also has chapters nationwide that offer group support to families dealing with mental illness. It would be helpful for your daughter to meet others who are going through the same ordeal - she will feel less
"different" and alone. It will help you too.Apart from a support group, I highly recommend therapy for both of you - separately. That way it will be easier for you and your daughter to be honest and open with the therapist. I avoided therapy for a long time because I had it confused with analysis, and I didn't want to talk about my crappy childhood. Now I have a therapist that I just love, and she's helping me deal with a painful divorce. A good therapist will teach you coping skills and give you invaluable information and advice. My therapist gives me hope and courage.
If you're not satisfied with your daughter's psychiatrist or therapist, don't hesitate to move right on to the next person on your list, or make a list if you don't have one. I went through three psychiatrists (four if you count the jerk who mistreated me at the hospital) before I found a guy that was really on the ball. If you're not comfortable and confident about your daughter's treatment - if her psychiatrist doesn't seem to be listening or interested enough, doesn't explain things well, is often unavailable or doesn't return calls, is arrogant or unpleasant...whatever the reason is, I can assure you that there's another doctor out there who WILL provide you with much better care.
Don't lose hope. The trial-and-error phase of medication is difficult and seems impossibly long-
but the better the doctor, the less trial-and-error you'll need. In the end, when your daughter is stabalized and doing well, you'll have saved her from a lifetime of suffering...the most loving gift a mother could give.Prayers for you and your daughter-
Gracie
poster:whiterabbit
thread:232648
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030619/msgs/235228.html