Re: Aspergers/bipolar

[Guest guest]

The Abilify or similar medication is used to treat both conditions. It's my

understanding that until the child is through the tumultous teens, it's very

difficult to tell if it is bipolar or " just " Aspergers. My son showed all the

signs of BPD but the doctor said it could still be some other combination that

had the same symptoms. I am now leaning more toward Aspergers. But, we are on

the same medications either way.

[Guest guest]

Hang in there, you'll get through this. As far as I know, most people who are

diagnosed with Aspergers are generally diagnosed with one or two more disorders.

My son, to date, has been diagnosed with Aspbergers, ADHD, GAD and ODD, though I

am not really sure that he has all of these, rather different people having

different ideas. I myself have been diagnosed as bipolar...it isn't as scary as

it sounds. My Dr. advised that this is something that I will have forever,

though I didn't suffer from depression really until I was 38. It is something

that just kind of comes and goes, and people can go years without incident. I

would be very careful putting your son on a bunch of medications for bipolar - I

was given Abilify ($1000/month for every 5mg increment) and decided to stop

taking it as it didn't really relieve any of my symptoms, was outrageously

expensive, and I gained 80 lbs. in the first 6 months of taking it. Apparently

this is a fairly common side effect that the doctors failed to mention. My son

just turned 16 and has had pretty scary tantrums most of his life, however they

are diminishing in duration and severity as he gets older. I'm sorry I can't

offer any concrete information, but I hope you can find a bit of encouragement

through my experiences. Take care and remember to make time for youself.

>

> After years of trying to find answers, my son was diagnosed as one the

spectrum by the school district a year ago. He's now 11 and has frequent

meltdowns and tantrums that are devestating to our family. Our new doctor says

my son is clearly Aspergers (I agree completely) but he also has bipolar issues.

I know I'm getting hung up on labels, but is Aspergers AND bipolar a likely

diagnosis, or is it Aspergers with bipolar characteristics but not necessarily

bipolar? I know none of you could answer this for my son personally, but I know

a lot of parents with Asperger kids end up putting their kids on Abilify which

is what my doctor wants to try, and I am just confused if that means my child

has BOTH conditions, and will therefore need to treat bipolar with medication

for the rest of his life or does this mean he needs the same treatment someone

with bipolar would receive, but the main problem is still Aspergers. I know I'm

just freaked out by the idea that my child has not one problematic condition but

two. Aspergers has its up side, but it's hard for me to find any way to put a

positive spin on bipolar disorder. That one seems like a curse. Thanks to

anyone who has any thoughts on this.

>

[Guest guest]

Abilify is not only for Bipolar but its used as a relaxant as well. My 15 yr old is on Abilify and he has bipolar but they were talking about putting my 14 yr old Autistic son on it as well

April momma of Tyler - ADD/ODD and Bi Polar Aspergers Autism Hunter- Speech Delayed

[Guest guest]

I don't post often anymore, but I saw this one and it caught my eye. Abilify is categorized for bipolar, schizophrenia and autism with aggression / agitation by FDA. It also has many off label uses, and was recently added as an additional med for depression by the FDA hence the latest set of commercials. It worked for my son for 1 1/2 years and then just didn't. It was also causing some really odd tics, near tardive dyskinesia but not as bad. But for that year and a half it was near a miracle drug. We have weaned him off it and are trying some others but with near the same effect we had when we found the abilify originally.

To: autism-aspergers Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 9:02 PMSubject: Re: Aspergers/bipolar

Abilify is not only for Bipolar but its used as a relaxant as well. My 15 yr old is on Abilify and he has bipolar but they were talking about putting my 14 yr old Autistic son on it as well

April momma of Tyler - ADD/ODD and Bi Polar Aspergers Autism Hunter- Speech Delayed

[Guest guest]

I had an interesting discovery yesterday. In reading about bipolar for kids, I

found that there is a new diagnosis that is going to be available in the 2013

DSM. And that is MY KID. I've always shied away from bipolar because parts of

it don't fit comfortably. And I don't like stretching a diagnosis. But as it

works out there were too many kids getting diagnosed bipolar and then they grew

up and weren't anymore, which means they were never bipolar in the first place.

These kids will have a new category. Temper Dysregulation Disorder. When I

read this, I knew they have finally found a right category for my kid. Here's

the description:

The disorder is characterized by severe recurrent temper outbursts in response

to common stressors.

1. The temper outbursts are manifest verbally and/or behaviorally, such as in

the form of verbal rages, or physical aggression towards people or property.

2. The reaction is grossly out of proportion in intensity or duration to the

situation or provocation.

3. The responses are inconsistent with developmental level.

B. Frequency: The temper outbursts occur, on average, three or more times per

week.

C. Mood between temper outbursts:

1. Nearly every day, the mood between temper outbursts is persistently negative

(irritable, angry, and/or sad).

2. The negative mood is observable by others (e.g., parents, teachers, peers).

D. Duration: Criteria A-C have been present for at least 12 months. Throughout

that time, the person has never been without the symptoms of Criteria A-C for

more than 3 months at a time.

E. The temper outbursts and/or negative mood are present in at least two

settings (at home, at school, or with peers) and must be severe in at least in

one setting.

F. Chronological age is at least 6 years (or equivalent developmental level).

G. The onset is before age 10 years.

The treatment is essentially the same as bipolar, but the outcome is different.

These kids grow up to deal with depression, not bipolar. I know it's all labels

and doesn't change what my child is dealing with whatsoever, but it really means

a lot to me to know that there are other kids with the same issues as mine, and

there is treatment, and I'm not going to have to stretch and bend the

description to make him fit. And of course he can't get this diagnosis until

the new DSM comes out, and of course I still need a doctor to pronounce it over

him to make it official, but there it is, that's my kid to a T, and I've never

been able to explain the sort of meltdowns and oppositionality and negativity

till I read that and just knew, that's where my boy fits in with all this. On

top of the Aspergers of course, which isn't going anywhere.

>

> I don't post often anymore, but I saw this one and it caught my eye. Abilify

is categorized for bipolar, schizophrenia and autism with aggression / agitation

by FDA. It also has many off label uses, and was recently added as an additional

med for depression by the FDA hence the latest set of commercials. It worked for

my son for 1 1/2 years and then just didn't. It was also causing some really odd

tics, near tardive dyskinesia but not as bad. But for that year and a half it

was near a miracle drug. We have weaned him off it and are trying some others

but with near the same effect we had when we found the abilify originally.

>

>

>

> ________________________________

>

> To: autism-aspergers

> Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 9:02 PM

> Subject: Re: Aspergers/bipolar

>

>

>  

> Abilify is not only for Bipolar but its used as a relaxant as well. My 15 yr

old is on Abilify and he has bipolar but they were talking about putting my 14

yr old Autistic son on it as well

>

>

>

> April momma of

> Tyler - ADD/ODD and Bi Polar

> Aspergers Autism

> Hunter- Speech Delayed

>

[Guest guest]

The new Temper Dysregulatio Disorder sounds a lot like my son as well, but these

outbursts used to occur mostly at school and rarely at home, are now mostly at

home and rarely at school. No one outside our family has ever witnessed one of

his more severe outbursts, and the professionals that we tell about these don't

seem to believe us when we describe them...he started to get agitated in front

of a therapist once, and she immediately sent him to the hospital (from the

office) for a psych evaluation. Since there were no further outbursts, or even

beginnings of one, they have all decided that there are no problems. They

currently have him on lamotrigine for mood stability. I love the idea that he

may one day grow out of this! Thanks for the info about this new diagnosis...I

will do further research on this! Good luck!

> >

> > I don't post often anymore, but I saw this one and it caught my eye. Abilify

is categorized for bipolar, schizophrenia and autism with aggression / agitation

by FDA. It also has many off label uses, and was recently added as an additional

med for depression by the FDA hence the latest set of commercials. It worked for

my son for 1 1/2 years and then just didn't. It was also causing some really odd

tics, near tardive dyskinesia but not as bad. But for that year and a half it

was near a miracle drug. We have weaned him off it and are trying some others

but with near the same effect we had when we found the abilify originally.

> >

> >

> >

> > ________________________________

> > From: " TyNickandHuntsma@ " <TyNickandHuntsma@>

> > To: autism-aspergers

> > Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 9:02 PM

> > Subject: Re: Aspergers/bipolar

> >

> >

> >  

> > Abilify is not only for Bipolar but its used as a relaxant as well. My 15 yr

old is on Abilify and he has bipolar but they were talking about putting my 14

yr old Autistic son on it as well

> >

> >

> >

> > April momma of

> > Tyler - ADD/ODD and Bi Polar

> > Aspergers Autism

> > Hunter- Speech Delayed

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I see well my aspie doesn't have aggression he has anxiety which brings the tics out more so I don't want to give him something that will trigger it worse! Thank you so much for your input

April

Momma of:

Tyler (15)

Nick (14)

Hunter (12)

[Guest guest]

Lexapro is an antidepressant that also treats anxiety. All the medications will

have side effects, but sometimes the benefits outweigh.

[Guest guest]

>

> After years of trying to find answers, my son was diagnosed as one the

spectrum by the school district a year ago. He's now 11 and has frequent

meltdowns and tantrums that are devestating to our family. Our new doctor says

my son is clearly Aspergers (I agree completely) but he also has bipolar issues.

I know I'm getting hung up on labels, but is Aspergers AND bipolar a likely

diagnosis, or is it Aspergers with bipolar characteristics but not necessarily

bipolar? I know none of you could answer this for my son personally, but I know

a lot of parents with Asperger kids end up putting their kids on Abilify which

is what my doctor wants to try, and I am just confused if that means my child

has BOTH conditions, and will therefore need to treat bipolar with medication

for the rest of his life or does this mean he needs the same treatment someone

with bipolar would receive, but the main problem is still Aspergers. I know I'm

just freaked out by the idea that my child has not one problematic condition but

two. Aspergers has its up side, but it's hard for me to find any way to put a

positive spin on bipolar disorder. That one seems like a curse. Thanks to

anyone who has any thoughts on this.

>

Your son sounds completely like my son. He has been diagnosed with Mood

disorder, ADHD, Aspergers, and recently PPD whatever that is. They just keep

piling up. As someone else had said my son struggles with anxiety, and I think

the anxiety issue is causing most of his problems. He has been on abilify in the

past, but he was aslo having strange behavior and weight gain. One day he sat on

the couch rocking and cring for no reason. He could not tell me what was wrong.

I call the doctor and the abilify was discontinued. He was just started on

Depakote and Focalin, so far he seems to be much calmer. No screaming fits yet,

but he just got out of the hospital today. Hopely I see the inprovement at home

and at school.

[Guest guest]

My daughter was diagnosed as bipolar 3 years ago. Last month we went to a different Dr and finally receive the diagnosis of Asperger's. My daughter's moods would change in an instant and then could change back in an instant. She could 'cycle' multiple times a day. I never did think that was really bipolar. I always thought it was Asperger's.

I understand your desire to not have a label of bipolar. We were very concerned about it too. That is a devastating life long condition. Aspie kids can eventually (I hope) grow up and live a semi normal life. I was happy to get rid of that label. I don't know if those conditions typically coexist or not but I know that in we were lucky enough that the bipolar can be explained away because of the Asperger's.

Lithium was horrible. Only now that she is off of it do we realize how bad it was. Her mood was very level but that meant that she wasn't ever truly happy. She still got sad and mad though. She was on three additional medications because of the side effects of the lithium. She seems happier now that she is off the lithium. I am very happy and my wallet is happy too.

Abilify has been a miracle drug for her. We have tried twice to decrease the dosage and/or stop it without success. She much easier and much happier on the Abilify. I will not allow a Dr to try to take her off of it without a REALLY good reason.

Hope it works out for you and your family.

-- Re: Aspergers/bipolar

>> After years of trying to find answers, my son was diagnosed as one the spectrum by the school district a year ago. He's now 11 and has frequent meltdowns and tantrums that are devestating to our family. Our new doctor says my son is clearly Aspergers (I agree completely) but he also has bipolar issues. I know I'm getting hung up on labels, but is Aspergers AND bipolar a likely diagnosis, or is it Aspergers with bipolar characteristics but not necessarily bipolar? I know none of you could answer this for my son personally, but I know a lot of parents with Asperger kids end up putting their kids on Abilify which is what my doctor wants to try, and I am just confused if that means my child has BOTH conditions, and will therefore need to treat bipolar with medication for the rest of his life or does this mean he needs the same treatment someone with bipolar would receive, but the main problem is still Aspergers. I know I'm just freaked out by the idea that my child has not one problematic condition but two. Aspergers has its up side, but it's hard for me to find any way to put a positive spin on bipolar disorder. That one seems like a curse. Thanks to anyone who has any thoughts on this.>Your son sounds completely like my son. He has been diagnosed with Mood disorder, ADHD, Aspergers, and recently PPD whatever that is. They just keep piling up. As someone else had said my son struggles with anxiety, and I think the anxiety issue is causing most of his problems. He has been on abilify in the past, but he was aslo having strange behavior and weight gain. One day he sat on the couch rocking and cring for no reason. He could not tell me what was wrong. I call the doctor and the abilify was discontinued. He was just started on Depakote and Focalin, so far he seems to be much calmer. No screaming fits yet, but he just got out of the hospital today. Hopely I see the inprovement at home and at school.