Parents of Bipolar Children Support Group

My daughter had a maniac episode yesterday at school. I am still knowing this illness and I would like to know if there are some symtoms that can give her and me a clue about the maniac peak. I noticed she had problems sleeping the last three nights, she was very irascible, and talkative. The talkative part worries me, it is like she can not stop. She talks to herself so fast and answers to herself, like she was in a movie and she was acting all the characters.

I have asked her if she see other people or listen to voices during these moments, but she says that not. She says me she is thinking in possible outcomes for next day with her friends.

This situation is complicated to me, I use plugs in my ears and I tell her she is talking aloud again, she stops for a few minutes, then she continues talking.

Is this a symtom of Bipolar? Could be something else? I just would like to know about your experiences.

It could be so many things. But, in my expereince, do not ignore it. Go with your gut. You are describing my daughters current situation and she is bipolar. Jumps from thing to thing. Is planning big things like running in a marathon and hking thr 46 peaks..she is 16. Have your child evaluated if you havent already

Hi fanmen. How old is your daughter? I'll give you the advice others here gave me. Research everything you can about your daughters symtons. Meggsmoms advice is also a good thing to do. Keep posting and asking questions.Alot of people here who helped me are very knowledgeable about this and are more than happy to help.We all support each other and understand your worry.My son is 24 and he didn't have this symtom.I've learned every child can be different but can also share some symtoms.Hang in there.

Hello fanmen-my daughter is 18 and hears voices occassionally, but not like what you describe here-mostly she hears someone calling her name-it's not been an issue so far. What is an issue with my daughter is her impulsive behavior and hyper-sexuality. jjsmom and Meggsmoms are right-do what you can to learn everything you can about symptoms, and do NOT ignore symptoms, no matter how minor they may seem at the time. Keep posting here, and asking questions-there are so many helpful parents here-some that have been through it, some that are going through it right now and others that are not yet going through what you are. Advice, support and suggestions are what you can expect from this site. Since I found this site, I cant tell you what a relief it has been to know that there are people out there who DO understand and CAN offer something that might actually be helpful to M and myself. Good LucK!!!

Thanks for your answers. My daughter is 16 years old. I asked her psychiatrist, and he told me sometimes people talk to themselves. I still think is something else. Thanks again for sharing your experiences.

My 18 yr. old daugther is bipolar and also talks to herself. I have heard her many times having a conversation in her room, by herself. She claims she does not hear voices. She is not med compliant for the BP, so I am not sure if this is part of her problem. I never got a chance to talk to her doctors about it, because she has run away to her biological dad's and has cut me out of her life completely. I understand how you feel, it is very scary when you hear them do this. Hang in there.

My daughter who is now 47 years old did talk to herself at times. For her it was a part of the psychosis that sometimes accompanies BP. From what I learned in NAMI many people, if not most, do have psychotic symptoms, but will not admit it.Truthfully as a person without BP I probably would try to hide this. Admitting it gives validity. I would definitely let the psychiatrist know about your child. I have giving info by voice mail to my grandson's psychiatrist who is also BP and is 19 years old. I know I say this almost time I write, but my daughter is completely stable. It took a long time to get the meds straight, but she is doing extremely well. Both my grandson and daughter live with me and my husband. I feel I have faced things I never would have thought I could face. Do not give up hope. In my daughter;'s case I felt the first several years that this nightmare would never stop, but it my daughter has been a joy for the last ten years. Hang in there. Use this site. It has been invaluable to me with problems with my grandson.

My daughter "self" conversations become more "answers" to somebody and there is anxiety, anger, and panic in her tone of voice. We discuss this with her psychiatrist and he thinks it could be Schizoaffective disorder... We will have an appointment with a psycologist to evaluate her again. HoWever, last night she was very anxious and she didn't want to sleep in her room. When I talk to her, she confess me she hears voices and see a woman in her room sometimes. I am devastated, this are symtoms of schizophrenia. I am so worry for her future, sad for her. I have only sleep a cople of ours each night since the last psychitrist appointment, I just cry, last Friday I couldn't finish my job (I am a teacher). I have been with her this weekend, listening to her, trying to be strong, but this so hard.

I do not think you are correct at all. From what I understand Schizoid affective Disorder is actually Bipolar 1 with psychotic features. The meds are the same as for Bipolar. My daughter was diagnosed with this and did hear the voices and really was way way out there-hearing the devil talk to her-believing her son's school was serving live body parts-seeing people on the street who were not there. They key is the right meds. She is 47 years old now and very stable. There is no way even in very close relationships with her that one could see the signs of mental illness. Many people with BP 1 have psychotic features. This can be managed with the correct meds. My daughter has gone to college and has worked.

There is hope!! try not to panic about this. Yes, this illness is devastating, but it can be managed as long as one gets the right meds and is med compliant. Mariah Carey, Brittney Spears and many others have been way out there with Bipolar 1.

Take care of yourself.

These are my emotions: I am in panic and feel no hope. I just want a normal life for my daughter.

These are my thinkings: there is a treatment we need to find for her. She wil be able of manage her illness.

Marlynn, thanks for sharing your experience, that helps me to concentrate in my thinkings and no in my emotions. I believe this will help more my daughter at this moment.