Parents of Bipolar Children Support Group

Hello all. I haven't posted in a while but feel the need to today. My 13 yr old has been home from school for over 4 months. I have been off work as well, partly due to my own depression and to take care of him. We tried Homebound education with a tutor for the last month, but he only worked for the 2 hours the tutor was with him.

He then decided he wanted to return to school (yeah!) because he was too bored at home (!?!). When he did return to school, however, it was a bust. You see, he has been on Abilify for about 3 months now and has gained a lot of weight. So when he stepped into the school after a 4+ month absence, all the other kids had to say was that he got fat! He was miserable and emotional after that, and since his return to school 2 weeks ago he has only attended 3 half days.

I am concerned with the weight gain; he eats from boredom and for gratification (he says that it feels so good to eat cookies, etc). He is also sedentary, refusing to even take a walk with me.

Also, since the attempted return to school we are seeing a return of previous behaviors - lashing out verbally and physically, high anxiety, suicidal thoughts, trouble sleeping. He also talks frequently about his desire to start smoking weed, no matter what I tell him about the dangers...He is on a waiting list for a day treatment program, but the estimated wait is another 6 months or more.

Although we have made progress, I hate this backslide, and I hate that my very smart son will very likely not pass his grade 8. Sorry the post is so long; I have alot on my mind.

Thx for listening.

Let me first say that my heart goes out to you. It is difficult seeing your child in so much pain. It is also scary as a mother to know you must keep your child with you 24/7 for him or her to be safe. You mention he was started on Abilify, any other medications? Abilify seems to work best when used with other antidepressant medications or mood stabilizers. Once you are able to get him into treatment and stabilized, it may be necessary to change schools. I don't recommend home schooling because it can often lead to self-isolation (ie it's easier to be depressed at home alone than to try and socialize with other kids), but a fresh start with new kids could be helpful. I wish you the very best and hope you will keep us posted.

I understand your frustration. I went thru the same struggles with my twins. School was the main source of stress for them.

My son is also very overweight. He also refuses to go for a walk with me or do any exercise. (His idea of exercise is pushing buttons on his computer of game controlller!)

I hate to tell you this, but my kids are almost 21 and neither of them has a high school diploma. My son went to night school for a while but couldn't handle it. He wants to get his GED and I hope he does, but I'm not getting my hopes up. My daughter has mentioned getting her GED but I REALLLLLLYYYY doubt that will happen! But who knows! They have matured a great deal these last couple yrs. I used to say they were 16 going on 6, and now I can say they are more like 21 going on 12!

My biggest concern is that they feel satisfied with where they are. My daughter is perfectly happy with her situation, my son is extremely frustrated with his.

I wish I had something more helpful to say, but I certainly understand your situation.

He is not on anything other than Abilify right now. The pdoc suggested that we consider Prozac as well, but does not want to do so until our son begins with a Teen Anxiety Group (which he started last night, and which he actually enjoyed). I agreee that staying at home is isolating him. It worries me to see him so isolated, despondent and just plain old BORED. We are really trying to get him through this year and are encouraging him to at least try to face school...I do think that we will change him schools next year, something he already said he wants to do, because there is too much history now with the kids in his school. Thanks for the replies...I needed that. (-: