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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cynthia on March 5, 2000, at 12:13:27
hi I wrote in previously regarding weaning off of bipolar meds which I have decided not to do . I need to keep things together as much as possible for my kids. My problem now, among others, is that I have an eight year old that has bipolar and I am concerned about wether or not to get him on medication . Is it a good idea to get him dependant on drugs this soon? He realy has some violent rages and is miserable but I am hesitant to get him into the "system" so young.( he is eight) Then I see about Danielle Steeles book and her son suiciding at 19 and it scares me . I want to do what is right and I know how miserable I have been with my rapid cycling . Also how much of bipolar is my personality and how much is bipolar. Does this make any sense? Thanks for any input!
Posted by Linda on March 5, 2000, at 14:59:59
In reply to bipolar in children, posted by Cynthia on March 5, 2000, at 12:13:27
Cynthia, you sound like a very caring parent. My first question would be whether or not your son has been evaluated & diagnosed as having bipolar d/o by a professional who specializes in childhood mood disorders. It is a very difficult diagnosis to make in children. If not, that would be the first step. If he has, there are many treatment options available, including meds, that need to be discussed with his doc - it is important that you trust this person & feel free to ask questions. It is this person's responsibility to see that you understand why a certain therapy is being recommended & why it is believed to be helpful. Bipolar d/o appears to be familiar, suggesting a genetic component. Long-term, untreated mood disorders can cause an array of personality dysfunctions (poor coping skills, etc). So, which came first "the chicken or the egg?" We don't always know. I wish you & your son the best of luck.
Posted by ChrisK on March 6, 2000, at 6:27:48
In reply to bipolar in children, posted by Cynthia on March 5, 2000, at 12:13:27
Hi Cynthia,
I have the same question as Linda about this being a pdoc's diagnosis of b/p.
I know it can be scary to start talking about meds in a youngster but sometimes that is the best route to take. A couple of years ago I was in a Psych hospital and the only bed they had was in the children's wing. I took all of my therapy with the adults but saw the kids in the mornings and evenings. Some of these kids were so out of control that it really scared me. I saw kids from the ages of 5 or 6 up to 17 years old. Many of them were getting help from the meds they were taking.
How does your son do at school? Is he disruptive in classes? Can he concentrate enough to do well as far as grades? If he's really not doing well and causing problems then medication may be a good option.
I hope you and your son get through this time.
Chris
Posted by Cynthia on March 6, 2000, at 10:03:55
In reply to Re: bipolar in children, posted by ChrisK on March 6, 2000, at 6:27:48
Hi and thanks Chris and Linda- Yes my son was dx by a pdoc and is struggling ( we have moved since then). He does very well at school but at home the anger and rage has taken him over. He has become so violent that he has physically hurt his younger siblings. I can't allow this. It is so painful to watch such a bright boy so full of promise fight with himself so much. I know how he feels. When he is manic he is hilarious to those around him, and he literally exhausts himself with chatter. When he is in a rage he is very hard to reach and is violent. It is hard to live with both for himself and for us. I am hoping to find a middle ground that will hopefully keep him out of the childrens psych wards. I can raise him now at eight but I cannot see raising him at 12 or even 16. Something has to change.-Cynthia
Posted by Chris A. on March 11, 2000, at 19:37:40
In reply to bipolar in children, posted by Cynthia on March 5, 2000, at 12:13:27
>Is it a good idea to get him dependant on drugs this soon?
It seems like the more stable the mood, the better the overall psychosocial development and well being. Depression and mania rob, steal and destroy. Find the best child psychiatrist you can. Please don't think of treatment as being dependent on drugs. None of the mood stabilizing meds are habit forming, with the exception of possibly Klonopin. Looking back, I wish my own depression had been adequately treated when I was about twelve.
No two cases are alike, but in retrospect I am thankful we started treating my son's ADHD with ritalin when he was five. I think the outcome has been better.Best,
Chris A.
This is the end of the thread.
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