Guest guest Posted May 31, 2004 Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 In a message dated 5/30/2004 2:46:24 PM Central Daylight Time, writes: Anyway, Dr. Capone said he's following 7-8 other kids like my son whose behaviors mimic bipolar disorder (my son does not have the bipolar dx). I know one of the other kids, but was wandering if any others are here on this list? Funny you should mention this, but out of all the med's 's tried, it seems Lithium helped him the most, which is a bipolar med mostly. doesn't seem to fit the criteria (except for physical aggression) of bipolar. Isn't that manic/depressive disorder?? is not depressed but he is non-compliant and aggressive at times. Don't they swing from moods of mania to very low depressive states?? I'm confused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2004 Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 <<Don't they swing from moods of mania to very low depressive states?? I'm confused.>> Me too. Especially about OCD issues and dx with . I keep wondering if she needs to be on a med for that. Coming from a long line of bipolar folks on both sides of the family I can imagine this would be especially tricky to nail down in a dually dxed child. However I do know there are such things as hypo-manic and hypo-depression which can be very low grade on one end or the other and further complicate diagnosis. Sometimes these fall off the radar especially if the patient can't communicate feelings. Bipolar folks can cycle anywhere from once a year or even less to rapid cyclers who go up and down several times in one day. I'm certainly no expert but I would think that a positive reaction to lithium would be a good indication of some manic problems. Sometimes just a tiny dose of antidepressant can help with both sides of the disorder and it might help rule out the depressive side. You've probably already done antidepressants. So forgive me if I'm overstepping. Sherry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2004 Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 PS. ...fwiw there is also some exciting research and results coming to light with bipolar patients who have undergone head MRIs and come out the other end non-bipolar.(!) Maybe you could search MRI and bipolar and see what pops up. This subject is dear to my heart as we just buried my much loved MIL at age 80 who was bipolar her entire life and never received proper treatment till she was 65. I've had clinical depression myself since childhood and I'm keeping a close eye on for any signs. Sometimes the depressive angle will only manifest as tiredness, weightgain, lack of interest etc. and not necessarily tears and sadness. I sure wish you success. Sherry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 If they are bipolar you have to be very careful with antidepressants!!! they can send many children into manic states which is not good. Usually they need to be on a mood stabilizer such as depakote or lithium ther eare many i think tegretol is another, and children tend to be very rapid cyclers. A great place i visit often when having a hard time with nicholas is www.bpkids.org they have loads of info. shawna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 1, 2004 Report Share Posted October 1, 2004 and Marla, Both your descriptions sound like my -except for the seizures. I am noting that most kids described like ours have seizures. Oh well, one more difference for . I spent yesterday at 's new school talking to staff about 's needs. It is impossible to give people a good picture of who he is. He is just soooooo complex. Several years ago I started asking his drs about the possibility of bipolar. Not much attention was paid. Now his ped. psychiatrist saw some of what I consider his manic behaviors and is bringing up bipolar. As far as medications we find 5 mg of adderall twice a day takes the edge off the impulsive " stuff " . We are also using anafranil for the obsessive issues and it seems to help in a very low dose (6 mg in a.m. and 12 mg in p.m.) Good luck, Karyn In a message dated 9/30/04 2:34:00 AM Central Daylight Time, writes: > > > How old is your son? Banner's Dr has made a comment before that " it is > almost like bipolar " just as a passing comment. Because of the PDD, ODD, OCD. > Seizures and Night Terrors at that time. I just didn't want to even research > it. I was releaved when we got the PDD diagnosis. It just explained a few > things and I was able to better help him. I almost feel the same way about > this. If Banner did have bipolar disorder it might explain some of his > behaviors. > > As I said before he basically has two moods. When I say he cycles it is > like he is good (for him) for a month or two and then life changes. There is no > reason or ryme as far as we can tell. He just came out of something that > has went on for 3 or 4 weeks. He was extremely non compliant, didn't want to > eat, did not want to go any where, did not want to do anything including > school work and bathing. Part of the time as long as we use a picture schedule he > does ok. Just when I think life is getting better (and it is better than it > was 2 years ago) he cycles right back to whatever it is. It is funny that > you mention you can see it in his eyes because I say the same thing about > Banner. When he is in one of these moods I can tell a difference in his eyes. > > Because Banner has seizures we sometimes have thought the mood swings might > be related to that. I guess he will always be a mystery. > > Marla Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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