Parents of Bipolar Children Support Group

I have a daughter who is 9 and was recently diagnosed bi-polar nos. I am a 30 year old single mother trying to raise my daughter the best possible way I know how.I am not really looking for answers on meds because all the ones I have seen questions on she has been on in the past three years. She was on abilify, geodon, clonidine, ritalin, a few others that I am not to fond of. Now she is on Lamictal and Clonidine. This mix has helped her a great deal. I am looking for more answers on discipline and behavioral episodes that my daughter has had. She has never been hospitalized all though came very close to it. But where I live the hospitals here wont take children under the age of 12. So I have to take one day at a time and see how we do. I just want to help her get through it all though I know it will never get better the symptoms will lesson or get heavier. She also has night terrors and her temp rises quit a bit. Which I have been told that these are all normal symptoms when you have a bipolar child.

Hi! Hope this forum is helpful to you! My son also is dx as Bipolar NOS. He too is "hot blooded" and has always been a warm little kid. He too has night terrors and those really stink.

I hope her new drug mix continues to be helpful.

Thanks! I am wondering what you use for discipline? Some of the stuff I am going through with my daughter. I just dont know what to do with her at some of the points that she puts me threw!

My 2 favorite books are "The Explosive Child" and "1-2-3 Magic"

I found the Explosive Child very helpful for my BP daughter.

The other book is good too for all kids. It helped with my daughter but I had to be ready with what the consequence would be once I got to "3" because as soon as I said "one" she would ask what the consequence would be when I got to "three". Then she'd think about it and decide if she wanted to keep going or take the consequences!

1-2-3 magic has never worked with my daughter cause she would explode before that and it just never worked. But I will check out the Explosive Child. I have never seen that one before. I have read alot of the bipolar titled one. I have been trying to find a group like this for a while that is in my home area but nothing for parents of bipolar children. I am thankful I found this site. It helps! Thanks!

1-2-3 magic did not work with my BP daughter AT ALL. Neither did "time-outs". My daughter was extremely difficult to calm down when she was young (and sometimes still). I've read so many books about dealing with difficult/strong willed children.....nothing really helped for me; however, now that she's 16 we have figured out some of our own strategies that work with her - most of the time.

So Far I have tried "time outs" they dont work they did when she was younger but not now. As of lately the only thing that is working is my physical restraints that I was taught by our doctor and team pep talks! But sometimes I dont know if that even works! I just want some ideas that I can try out. I am looking for something that will work for us. I refuse to hospitalize her or even try. She doesnt get the concept of it anyways. She is an only child and thinks it will be a place were she can meet friends. I try to tell her its not like that. But I am not willing to give up on her. I think we can make it with out hospitalization.

Post edited by: LadyNajera, at: 11/16/2009 03:08 PM

My daughter was hospitalized twice when she was 15. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do! But she was a danger to herself - she attempted suicide and had a plan to try again. My heart broke for her and I felt so empty inside. But, I truly believe that it was the best thing for her because she was FINALLY properly monitored 24x7 and diagnosed.

We still struggle with the "meds". Seems like just when the "combo" is working - it stops and we have to switch things up. It is so hard!

Stay strong, keep supporting your daughter, and stick with the "meds" and Therapy. If she's not in Therapy, it can help. The best thing we experienced is DBT Therapy (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). It is different than "talk therapy". It focuses on helping to develop skills such as: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Effectivemess, Emotional Regulation, and balancing it all. Very worthwhile program. My daughter joined a "group" for 20 weeks and now is in individual DBT therapy.

My daughter is 9. She is my only child. Here in MN/ND they dont allow one to hospitalize children under 12 which sucks a great deal if I wanted to. My daughter is always a threat to herself when she is upset for any reason; she is on self harm. She has been like that since she was little. When she is depressed or frustrated; she will self harm before she touches anyone else. She will touch me before she goes towards any other adults but that is because I self restrain her. So she doesnt hurt herself. She has used rope, a knife, her hands, the wall, Bite herself, pulls her hair, Hits herself. She scares me alot. So I have to chose to pick my fights carefully scared of what she might do. I know what she is capable of. Right now She has slipped in to Mania. Which means a re-adjustment to her meds. When I think of these behaviors I just dont know what to do about them. How to stop them from happening. My daughter and I have a great communication. I have been teaching her about each feeling and what that means when ur bipolar. There is no groups in my area that I can go to that will let her be apart of. When I talk to counselors and doctors about it they tell me she is too young. When are they not too young? When its too late and they have already adapted to something they have to relearn. I dont want her to have to retake those steps making it harder on her in life. I want it done now rather then later that is why I push so hard to find answers.

You sound like a very strong woman and I am going through a situation with my son similar to yours however in TX they allow you to hospitalize your child in those circumstances. I wish I had some advice for you however I am new to this as well. I can tell you that I am here to listen if ever you need someone. Take care.