Parents of Bipolar Children Support Group

Hello everyone,

My 5 1/2 year old son was diagnosed as bipolar about a month ago. I work in the field myself and actually suspected it for some time, but it took a while to get a doctor to listen to me. No one likes to diagnose a 5 year old.

He's presently on Depakote, but we're still working on the correct dosage. Today at school he exposed himself to a group of children and has been suspended for 2 days. I have requested an assessment take place as soon as possible and revealed his diagnosis to them today.

I guess I'm searching for other parents that might have experience with early-onset bipolar. I'm interested in learning which medications worked for you, how you worked with your child's school, if you received any help from your state or county and how (PCA, respite care, etc.), experience with taking FMLA for a bipolar child, day treatment options, etc.

He's only been in school for 3 weeks!

Any advice or support would be greatly appreciated.

I just wanted to say I feel you. My son is not even 4 yet and we are awaiting bp diagnosis. It just sucks so bad. I hope we can lean on one another through this.

I only wish I had seen signs of early diagnosis, my son is now 19 and just diagnosed this year. You have a great advantage of early diagnosos.I will pray for you all...

God bless,

Hugs!!!

everettandzavier--My child is five and just started Kindergarten. She was diagnosed this summer with bipolar, so I was able to get things started with the school administrators prior to that first day of school. I had to submit a copy of the psychological evaluation and set up an IEP and safety plan. Every child is different and their needs are going to be different. Fortunately, we have a good support team (special ed coordinator, special ed teacher, Kindergarten teacher, occupational therapist, counselor, and nurse practioner). You might want to request an IEP if your child is having severe behavioral problems. The school should be able to provide your child with the support system that will be needed to thrive this year.

As for meds, I can't really give you much advice. I'm still doing battle on that one. My child is currently on Abilify and Guafacine. It worked well for awhile but the effects seem to have worn off. She was prescribed Straterra but the pharmacy would not give it to us because the doctor would not authorize the prescription writteb by the nurse practitioner. Something about the state laws not allowing children under six to have important psych meds... (AGH!) Our next check-up is in November and I think I'll definiately be asking for an increase in dosage levels of her current meds.

Good luck and hang in there!

How long before the abilify stopped working? My son started abilify and celexa on sept. 21. It has been wonderful.

My sons psychiatrist said not to tell the school because they are not private about it. I thought that was weird.

I hope the doc. gets your daughter's meds right. I understand the frustration of dealing with a child that is struggling. It was a long time before we finally decided to take our son to a psychiatrist. Alittle over a year of dealing with severe behavior. We tried our preacher counseling with him twice a week, spending time with the special ed teacher for anger management, and various techniques at home as far as structure and schedules. He started adderrall in may for ADHD but the psychiatrist took him off of it said he is not adhd.

If you ever need anyone to talk to I am here. Good Luck, and God bless.

She was put on Abilify about a year ago. I'd say it stopped working about five months back. Some days are better than others, no matter what drug.

Why the doctor would suggest that you not inform the school sounds a bit odd. I would be wondering what his reasons are for wanting to leave the school out of this.

Hi,

My son is 5 and is diagnosed as bipolar. We went through a child group study when he was 3, and was told that they couldn't diagnose bipolar at that early an age, so it was "episodic mood disorder" and ADHD. This summer they finally said bipolar and ADHD. Here are the meds that we have tried....Klonopin, Risperdal, Guanfacine, Ritalin, Depakote, Adderall, Seroquel, Strattera. He is currently on seroquel and strattera, but it has only been 1 week. They take longer to work, so we havent really seen anything good/bad yet with them.

He is in Kindergarten this year as well. He has been having probs with the ADHD really bad. He was in a special needs pre-k last year, and that helped greatly with the adjustment to school. He thrives on structure and routine, so scholl really helps with that, but right now he just can;t control his little body to stay still and focus. We are researching new doctors and I have a good recommendation for one in the area, just waiting to see if/when we can get in.

As for informing the school, I would do it. If they know that there is a problem, then they can try to help and deal with things better. I would rather be labeled as a child with a problem than a problem child!

Hope that helps a little,

Lori

My son rarely acted up at school which i thought was very strange but the doctors said it is normal for some kids to keep things in and then get home and explode and man that is what he did!! He had some days at school that weren't great and the teachers picked up on it so i let them know his problem and what we were doing to take care of it. It is good to give them a heads up at school.

As far as medicine, he was taking, abilify for a little over a year and it worked but eventually quit working for him. He us now on Lamactal and zoloft....so far so good. He is 11 but we have been seeing doctors since he was 4. Hope that helps a little.

My son was just diagnosed this year at age 20-- I wish he would have been diagnosed at four or five! Mine did not have huge behavioral issues at school-- he had serious organization problems-- but he had the big explosions at home. Every day.

I understand why your doctor doesn't want the school to know. Most schools I've been familiar with do not have medical privacy in any real sense. (As a parent, I once stood in a courtyard waiting for my son while a teacher chewed out another parent for not giving her kid Ritalin-- in a voice loud enough that any one in the courtyard could hear. I have other stories like that.) I suppose if it were a big enough problem that teachers commented on it, then you might want to let them know.

Unfortunately, I can't answer your specific questions, but I hope you get your answers! And take care of yourself. You need mental and emotional strength.