Parents of Bipolar Children Support Group

Hi everyone

I am mom to 4 beautiful boys, one of which (ds 7) has been recently diagnosed with Bipolar. We have always had trouble with him, going back to when he was a toddler. The last few years have been rough, to say the least and support has been hard to come by. This past year, it has been out of control! We are having no luck in regards to trying to stablize him. He has severe anxiety that coupled with the Bipolar leads to horrible, lengthy episodes of rage. He may also have ADHD. We are having trouble determining if it is that or just mania that is causing the huge lack of focus/paying attention/sitting in his seat issues at school.

I am just looking for people that are in this fight with me. Most days, I have no clue what I'm doing. When I'm not protecting my son & everyone else from the rage, I am trying to explain to my 3 & 4 year olds *why* the brother that they adore keeps trying to hit them or bash their heads into the wall and why he keeps going back & forth between "I love you" & "I hate you & hope you die". I am pretty much doing this on my own & I am completely exhausted. Hoping I can find some strength amongst all of you & give some support along the way. Thanks for taking the time to read this!

*hugs* You'll get tons of support in here -- in one way or another, we've been there too.

So sorry your boy is so young for the ride to start.Im lucky and our 19 year old is the baby and all gone but her

chaosmom...so sorry you are going through this. We all understand how hard BP can be. We all have similar experiences and we can share them. We don't have all the answers. You have found a wonderful forum and you will be able to vent here and know that we all "Get it".

Like mik4284 said...you are not alone!

My heart goes out to you, please know that you DO have friends and a support system through this forum. If nothing else, it always helps to vent and know that others understand what we are going through.

It is bad enough that as parents we must endure what we do, but even more sad that younger siblings are caught in the trap with no understanding and basically no way out. My suggestion to you would first be to take the younger siblings aside (if you haven't already) and explain to them about the disease that is literally taking their brother away from them at times. Secondly, I would regularly make time to spend with those two alone. Thirdly, if the physical and verbal abuse progresses, you may need to consider outside placement for your son, even if only temporarily.

Good luck to you all and God Bless.

Thank you all so much! I have talked to my other 3 kids & their half-sister about what is going on. The 2 older kids get it as well as anyone can. The 2 younger ones really just understand that he gets angry but that he isn't angry at *them*. I normally send them out of the room when he flies into a rage because if my 4 yr old stays around it, he gets a migraine & then I have not only BP to deal with but crying & throwing up from the migraine. I am currently a SAHM so I have the ability to spend time with the little ones while big bro is in school.

We have debating having him admitted to the hospital & we may be doing that over the summer break. He has been having a really tough time since Father's Day. Then the transition from school to home for the summer. And from 1st grade to 2nd. It has sent him into a tailspin. Everytime the pdoc calls, they never have a bed available. I will probably end up sitting in the ER with him until he flips out & they find a bed. It won't take too long :-/

Again, thank you so much for reaching out to me. And forgive me if I explain things in too much detail. I am used to talking to people that have no clue what this is like!

My son is now 20 years old and he was diagnosed at 15. It has been HELL for the last 5 years and it seems to get worst because he has chosen to refuse medication. I have to let him go...I saw him today for the fist time in weeks today. He is homeless, hungry and dirty...and I cry to sleep every night and I am working on NOT feeling guilty. My mind understands tat it is not my fault but try telling that to me heart??

I know exactly what you are going through...find ood support group, friends that understand, read everything you can get your hands on to understand this disease and most of all it is NOT your fault.

I keep saying 6 years of hell guess been 7 right before her 13th Bday and 19 now its been long road but we do what we have to do.

My heart goes out to each and every one of you here