Re: Bipolar

[Guest guest]

Steffanie

I wonder the same thing all the time. I am questioning all of my daughters

diagnoses' and wonder if all of it is linked to her having aspergers. In my

family there is a family link of bipolar, and i KNOW without a doubt that my

mother is bipolar. she is hospitalized about once a year because of her suicidal

tendancies, after a manic episode.

I am really really uneasy with how quick some docs are to label kids with

anything. OCD seems pretty cut and dry. obsessions and compulsions. But most

other mental illnesses are pretty complicated.

This is the main reason i am struggling with whether or not i should medicate my

daughter. I worry, that if she is not bi polar, and she starts these meds, what

will they do to her.

So, do i think there are kids that are definitely bipolar? YES. Do i think my

daughter has a possibility of being bipolar? YES Do i think she is bipolar now?

Im not so sure.

Now, as her mom, it is my job to research and decide what is going on with her,

and decide if we are going to medicate, or not. And I am feeling terrified i

will make the wrong choice.

Gabby, 8, Apsergers, OCD, Mood Disorder NOS( possibly bipolar)

>

>

> I'm just wondering, what is the deal with all these OCD kids being diagnosed

with bipolar? Do you think they really do have bipolar? Or is there something

that's being missed in the science of it? I'm having a hard time believing that

just because a kid has OCD, he also has bipolar. There is a family link in my

son's case, but I also question my mother's diagnosis. She certainly has

something wrong with her, which I think is severe depression, as she was so

abusive and angry while I was growing up. But I never once saw any indication

of a manic phase with her. Is diagnosing bipolar a fad? Do we not really know

what's going on so we just excuse it to bipolar? I have stomach issues. When

they can't find a reason for it, they diagnose Irritable Bowel Syndrome. They

don't really understand it, so they feel the need to label it. Is that

happening with kids and bipolar diagnoses? I'm just asking because it's

something I've been thinking about. Wondering what others' thoughts are.

>

> Steffanie

>

>

[Guest guest]

Steffanie, I absolutely think bipolar is being overdiagnosed. My dd is bipolar

and her and I both wish she wasn't. I often hear bipolar on this and other

boards of people who do not really sound bipolar to me. My dd has very classic

bipolar symptoms with both severe depressions and manias and has been diagnosed

by 3 psychiatrists. I find it strange when people are diagnosed because they

have a bad reaction to meds when the DSM diagnostic criteria specifically says

the manic, depressive or mixed event can NOT be caused by meds or other

substances. Yet, I hear of people being diagnosed because of a negative reaction

to meds or substances often. Stormy

________________________________

To: OCD Group < >

Sent: Fri, November 5, 2010 7:42:00 AM

Subject: Bipolar

I'm just wondering, what is the deal with all these OCD kids being diagnosed

with bipolar? Do you think they really do have bipolar? Or is there something

that's being missed in the science of it? I'm having a hard time believing that

just because a kid has OCD, he also has bipolar. There is a family link in my

son's case, but I also question my mother's diagnosis. She certainly has

something wrong with her, which I think is severe depression, as she was so

abusive and angry while I was growing up. But I never once saw any indication

of a manic phase with her. Is diagnosing bipolar a fad? Do we not really know

what's going on so we just excuse it to bipolar? I have stomach issues. When

they can't find a reason for it, they diagnose Irritable Bowel Syndrome. They

don't really understand it, so they feel the need to label it. Is that

happening with kids and bipolar diagnoses? I'm just asking because it's

something I've been thinking about. Wondering what others' thoughts are.

Steffanie

[Guest guest]

That's so interesting, . I do like my son's psychiatrist. He said that

you can't definitively diagnose bipolar until they have their first manic

episode--which usually comes in their teens. So to diagnose a young child like

ours (my son is 9) seems a little premature to me. I do believe there are kids

who truly have it, but sometimes our kids act " crazy " from anxiety. If there

are other disorders such as Aspergers, autism, ADHD, how do we jump to bipolar?

I had a horrible experience with a psychiatrist after I had my second son. I

had PPD, and because my mom has bipolar, she automatically decided I did too. I

had NEVER had a manic episode. She forced me to take bipolar meds, which did

nothing. She threatened to hospitalize me if I didn't take the drugs she wanted

me to. I left her practice. So I am wary of docs wanting to shove meds down my

kids. My son's seems fairly conservative. We're evaluating for ADHD right now,

but he said if his grades are good (which they are) that it probably isn't

severe enough to treat. We shall see!

Steffanie

To:

From: samigab@...

Date: Fri, 5 Nov 2010 15:51:03 +0000

Subject: Re: Bipolar

Steffanie

I wonder the same thing all the time. I am questioning all of my daughters

diagnoses' and wonder if all of it is linked to her having aspergers. In my

family there is a family link of bipolar, and i KNOW without a doubt that my

mother is bipolar. she is hospitalized about once a year because of her suicidal

tendancies, after a manic episode.

I am really really uneasy with how quick some docs are to label kids with

anything. OCD seems pretty cut and dry. obsessions and compulsions. But most

other mental illnesses are pretty complicated.

This is the main reason i am struggling with whether or not i should medicate my

daughter. I worry, that if she is not bi polar, and she starts these meds, what

will they do to her.

So, do i think there are kids that are definitely bipolar? YES. Do i think my

daughter has a possibility of being bipolar? YES Do i think she is bipolar now?

Im not so sure.

Now, as her mom, it is my job to research and decide what is going on with her,

and decide if we are going to medicate, or not. And I am feeling terrified i

will make the wrong choice.

Gabby, 8, Apsergers, OCD, Mood Disorder NOS( possibly bipolar)

[Guest guest]

Yes, Stormy. I hear that too! My son's doc said it could be bipolar because of

his reaction to Zoloft. I had a similar reaction to Paxil, which was part of

why a horrible doc diagnosed me with it. I do not have bipolar. You really

have to fight sometimes. I'm really sorry you are dealing with it with your

daughter. That must be really tough.

Steffanie

To:

From: stormyweather19917@...

Date: Fri, 5 Nov 2010 09:18:45 -0700

Subject: Re: Bipolar

Steffanie, I absolutely think bipolar is being overdiagnosed. My dd is bipolar

and her and I both wish she wasn't. I often hear bipolar on this and other

boards of people who do not really sound bipolar to me. My dd has very classic

bipolar symptoms with both severe depressions and manias and has been diagnosed

by 3 psychiatrists. I find it strange when people are diagnosed because they

have a bad reaction to meds when the DSM diagnostic criteria specifically says

the manic, depressive or mixed event can NOT be caused by meds or other

substances. Yet, I hear of people being diagnosed because of a negative reaction

to meds or substances often. Stormy

[Guest guest]

I agree, it is hard to diagnose. Which is why her official diagnoses is OCD,

Aspergers, and Mood Disorder NOS.

She was having symptoms of possible BPD for the last year, but we noticed a huge

increase of symptoms, after the remeron was started Remeron. It was like all the

" bad " parts of gabby were showing, and really, not much of the parts of her we

enjoy.

I was told, when she was 4. YES, 4, that she might be bi polar, and i thought

for sure that doc was a quack, and we never went back. I dont see how anyone can

say that, at that age. She was exhibiting OCD symptoms and she was diagnosed

with Aspergers then, but other than her being very high needs, I didnt ever

think she was bi polar.

I do agree with her doc that she has a mood disorder. I also agree with him

that she could be bipolar. I can see things in her that scare me, for the kind

of future she may have. I am glad her doc is not writing down ~Bipolar as a

definite diagnosis, at the ripe ol age of 8. However, We do beleive she is

starting puberty, and there is a chance the hormones are bringing some of this

out. Of course most 8 year old do not go thru puberty, but i was 9 when i

started my first period. ( turned 9 2 months before) and she is now gettin

breasts. And my 9 year old is having cramps, and is also getting breasts, so

early puberty could be happening. Which might put her at risk for some of the

puberty related BPD symptoms.

Now i am left to figure out if it is all coincidence, or is she really starting

to show the BPD. I have read that BPD and OCD are often co-morbid conditions.

And i have read that Aspergers might be the reason we have any or all of these

symptoms. That is the hard part.

I was doing research and found this article interesting. Here is a quote from

the attached Website.

That children with BPD are diagnostically challenging has long been recognized.

For example, Carlson reported that children with BPD were severely irritable,

dysphoric, and agitated. They infrequently presented with the classic manic

symptoms of euphoria and grandiosity, suggesting developmental variability in

the phenotypic expression of BPD. Consistent with this idea, (1979) showed

that children with BPD commonly presented as highly irritable, with " affectire

storms " or prolonged and aggressive temper outbursts. Thus, children with BPD

may not present with the classic adult manic picture. Instead, they tend to

present with a more chronic, irritable, and dysphoric course (Carlson et al.,

1994; McElroy et al., 1997; Weinberg and Brumback, 1976), creating a

complicated, often confusing clinical picture.

http://www.bpso.org/debate.htm

>

>

> That's so interesting, . I do like my son's psychiatrist. He said

that you can't definitively diagnose bipolar until they have their first manic

episode--which usually comes in their teens. So to diagnose a young child like

ours (my son is 9) seems a little premature to me. I do believe there are kids

who truly have it, but sometimes our kids act " crazy " from anxiety. If there

are other disorders such as Aspergers, autism, ADHD, how do we jump to bipolar?

I had a horrible experience with a psychiatrist after I had my second son. I

had PPD, and because my mom has bipolar, she automatically decided I did too. I

had NEVER had a manic episode. She forced me to take bipolar meds, which did

nothing. She threatened to hospitalize me if I didn't take the drugs she wanted

me to. I left her practice. So I am wary of docs wanting to shove meds down my

kids. My son's seems fairly conservative. We're evaluating for ADHD right now,

but he said if his grades are good (which they are) that it probably isn't

severe enough to treat. We shall see!

>

> Steffanie

>

>

> Now, as her mom, it is my job to research and decide what is going on with

her, and decide if we are going to medicate, or not. And I am feeling terrified

i will make the wrong choice.

>

>

> Gabby, 8, Apsergers, OCD, Mood Disorder NOS( possibly bipolar)

>

>

[Guest guest]

, I wonder if your dd would be better classified as the new diagnosis

that is be considered for the next DSM:

Temper Dysregulation Disorder: This proposed new disorder is seen as a brain or

biological dysfunction, but not necessarily a lifelong condition. It can only

be diagnosed in children over the age of 6, and onset must begin before a child

is 10.

The disorder is characterized by severe recurrent temper outbursts in response

to common stressors. To have the disorder, the person has to have had these

symptoms for at least 12 months, and cannot have been free of symptoms for more

than three months at a time.

* temper outbursts involving yelling or physical aggression

* overreacting to common stressors

* temper outbursts occurring on average three or more times a week

* nearly everyday the mood between temper outbursts is persistently negative.

* in the past year the patient has not had a period longer than a day of

elevated or euphoric mood. This is what is being proposed for some who in the

past have been diagnosed with bipolar at a young age but don't have the typical

symptoms of bipolar. Stormy

________________________________

That children with BPD are diagnostically challenging has long been recognized.

For example, Carlson reported that children with BPD were severely irritable,

dysphoric, and agitated. They infrequently presented with the classic manic

symptoms of euphoria and grandiosity, suggesting developmental variability in

the phenotypic expression of BPD. Consistent with this idea, (1979) showed

that children with BPD commonly presented as highly irritable, with " affectire

storms " or prolonged and aggressive temper outbursts. Thus, children with BPD

may not present with the classic adult manic picture. Instead, they tend to

present with a more chronic, irritable, and dysphoric course (Carlson et al.,

1994; McElroy et al., 1997; Weinberg and Brumback, 1976), creating a

complicated, often confusing clinical picture.

http://www.bpso.org/debate.htm

[Guest guest]

I have my theories about the new DSM. One thig I worry about is that bipolar

disorder is one of those diagnoses that allows for parity in tems of insurance

meaning that it is covered as well as a medical diagnosis is. I am wondering if

this new classification would be covered the same way? The treatment is the

same regardless if I am correct.

I think the overriding issue in this cae of diagnosis is a politcal and

economical one and we parents have to be wise to that when we accept or agree

upon a diagnosis. When you get right down to it a diagnosis or label funcgtions

to drive reimbursement and services as far as insurance coverage goes (and

insurance coverage is based on DSM or ICD - 9). You have to wonder who develops

DSM and why they delineate things as they do. You have to understand what the

implications of a diagnosis is and seek what you need to get the services/meds

that you need.

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

There is also a strong positive in the new diagnosis and that is the indication

that it is not a life long disease. I believe there are many kids being

diagnosed with bipolar who really do not have the illness and this new criteria

would fit them better. Stormy

________________________________

You have to understand what the implications of a diagnosis is and seek what you

need to get the services/meds that you need.

MARKETPLACE

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..

[Guest guest]

Bonnie, I wondered about this. It is not the same in Canada, we get medication

regardless, well, according to a doctors recommendation, but we don't have to

have a set diagnosis in the same way. Our son was given a mood stabilizer, with

no diagnosis of bipolar, but to treat the symptoms that we were dealing with.

I can say that doctors are very hesitant to put this label on. In fact someone

told me they cannot label until the age of 20(in Canada), not sure if this is

true or not. Maybe it's because the average age of onset is in the

mid-twenties, so they wait until then to set the label? Something like that,

I've probably not got it clear though...

Now I'm remembering.. we were told that they wait until that age, because

usually any teen issues, drinking, drugs, general acting out, and maybe brain

development(?), is settled down. I think that's what I was told. Not that they

don't treat, they treat according to symptoms, but wait to put the label on. I

think that's what I was told...somewhat a blur, I try not to remember those

days....

How is today? Did you hear anything from anyone at the school yet?

Barb

>

> I have my theories about the new DSM. One thig I worry about is that bipolar

disorder is one of those diagnoses that allows for parity in tems of insurance

meaning that it is covered as well as a medical diagnosis is. I am wondering if

this new classification would be covered the same way? The treatment is the

same regardless if I am correct.

>

> I think the overriding issue in this cae of diagnosis is a politcal and

economical one and we parents have to be wise to that when we accept or agree

upon a diagnosis. When you get right down to it a diagnosis or label funcgtions

to drive reimbursement and services as far as insurance coverage goes (and

insurance coverage is based on DSM or ICD - 9). You have to wonder who develops

DSM and why they delineate things as they do. You have to understand what the

implications of a diagnosis is and seek what you need to get the services/meds

that you need.

>

> Bonnie

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for asking Barb...Meds here are not necessarily associated with

diagnosis, but you can't get a med without a script and everytime you see the

doctor, they assign a DSM or ICD code for insurance reimbursement.

I was never a pediatric nurse (though I cover them in an administrative

capacity). However, in all my years (26) as a nurse, I have never seen a manic

bipolar patient act like the children who are labelled as such (including my

son), and I have met many bipolar patients. I have been told that bipolar kids

act differently and, as they grow, their symptoms change. I am still skeptical.

I often wonder if there isn't some syndrome of sorts not yet defined or that the

behavior is the result of a brain developing differently.

I have not heard from the school, but I have a script to get homebound

instruction, and I sent a certified letter of complaint to the district. I have

a lot of issues with the district and how they implemented my son's IEP, ect...I

think it'll help me get him into the school I'd like him to be in.

Matt is still not well. He is a little better because he has no

responsibilities right now, however he continues to be plagued with anxiety. I

have been taking him out to the park briefly and very briefly (5mins) to the

store because he's agaoraphobic and I don't want it to get any worse than it is.

He hangs on to me and cries. He is not agitated or angry, just gets frustrated

with feeling bad. Still waiting to hear from someone in NY too.

Bonnie

---

[Guest guest]

Yes, the diagnosis might fit better, but it might not be as easy to pay for the

care....that concerns me more than mislabeling (which is not as dangerous if the

meds and therapy are appropriate). Once the bipolar diagnosis was assigned

parity (meaning the care is covered as well as a medical diagnosis), I saw a

jump in the number of bipolar cases in the hospital even in the geriatric

population that in previous years was attributed to dimentia and other cognitive

deficits. I just find it all interesting. Healthcare, research, ect is as

political as any other industry though many would argue that the costs may be

greater.

Bonnie

Bonnie

>

> There is also a strong positive in the new diagnosis and that is the

indication

> that it is not a life long disease. I believe there are many kids being

> diagnosed with bipolar who really do not have the illness and this new

criteria

> would fit them better. Stormy

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

>

>

>

> You have to understand what the implications of a diagnosis is and seek what

you

> need to get the services/meds that you need.

>

>

>

> MARKETPLACE

> Get great advice about dogs and cats. Visit the Dog & Cat Answers Center.

>

> ________________________________

>

> Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get

the

> Yahoo! Toolbar now.

>

>

> ________________________________

>

> Hobbies & Activities Zone: Find others who share your passions! Explore new

> interests.

>

>

> Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

> .

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I've had both my sons diagnosed bipolar by psychiatrists within the last year

and turns out neither one is. Both have very high anxiety and OCD - though it

looks a bit different in each one. It's been a long, expensive road, but now

both are doing very well, so there is plenty of hope. What I learned: It

sometimes takes time and lots of therapy, the right diagnosis and the right

medications, but well worth the very difficult journey in order to get your kids

back. My older son was on bipolar meds for 3 months at the highest doses before

we finally figured something was not right and he went to inpatient for 2

months. The field of mental health can do amazing things, but like any field

some therapists/doctors are better at their job than others. It is a young and

complicated field, yet simple in a way once you get a clear picture. There are

no scientific tests, just observation and making the correct assessment out of

all the clues - deductive reasoning.

Nita

[Guest guest]

I wonder with mental health type diagnoses, if some are just given to get

treatment (so they can bill, be paid...). So it's more a " paper diagnosis "

then what is actually wrong maybe? But they do therapy for the actual

behaviors/symptoms?

I do some data entry for outpatient mental health billing. And find it

interesting that so many of the kids have at least one of these diagnoses:

Oppositional Defiant Disorder; Mood Disorder, NOS; Personality Disorder, NOS;

Impulse Control Disorder, NOS; Disruptive Behavior Disorder, NOS; Intermittent

Explosive Disorder. And ADHD often thrown in with one of these. (most have 2

diagnoses)

Rarely I will see a bipolar listed for someone. Or a depression type diagnosis

along with something. I have seen OCD a couple times.

I know sometimes I wonder if there's any that are actually dealing with OCD but

it's not being recognized and thought to be something else above. Our kids can

get oppositional!

>

> I've had both my sons diagnosed bipolar by psychiatrists within the last year

and turns out neither one is. Both have very high anxiety and OCD - though it

looks a bit different in each one. It's been a

[Guest guest]

Nita, I am so glad they were able to figure out what is wrong with your sons. I

am also so glad they are doing well now! My dd also went inpatient for 2 months

as well. There we were told they get tons of kids who are misdiagnosed with

bipolar. Turns out mine really is bipolar but I hate the fact that so many kids

are placed on such dangerous drugs when they really don't need them. They can

cause all kinds of side effects. I hope your kids continue to do well! Stormy

________________________________

To:

Sent: Sun, November 7, 2010 7:32:39 AM

Subject: Re: Bipolar

I've had both my sons diagnosed bipolar by psychiatrists within the last year

and turns out neither one is. Both have very high anxiety and OCD - though it

looks a bit different in each one. It's been a long, expensive road, but now

both are doing very well, so there is plenty of hope. What I learned: It

sometimes takes time and lots of therapy, the right diagnosis and the right

medications, but well worth the very difficult journey in order to get your kids

back. My older son was on bipolar meds for 3 months at the highest doses before

we finally figured something was not right and he went to inpatient for 2

months. The field of mental health can do amazing things, but like any field

some therapists/doctors are better at their job than others. It is a young and

complicated field, yet simple in a way once you get a clear picture. There are

no scientific tests, just observation and making the correct assessment out of

all the clues - deductive reasoning.

Nita

[Guest guest]

I would guess that there is a lot of misdiagnosis out there. I know it must be

hard to make those diagnoses too. There's a lot of overlap in symptoms.

Honestly, I don't have a concern with mislabeling if it gets you what you need

at the time, but getting what you need seems to be the greatest problem we have.

I think when you get right down to it, the overriding, everpresent symptom is

what you should focus on. There are so many variables in treatment and in

etiology and it's easy to get caught up in that. Add to it, med side effects

and I find myself so confused sometimes. The other day, I wrote out 's

history as best I could, meds, therapies, and all. A few things jump out at me,

but I'm not sure what it means. I'm hoping that it will help another doctor

help me sort it out. I know that it is whatever it is (whatever diagnosis), I

just want him to get better.

Bonnie

> >

> > I've had both my sons diagnosed bipolar by psychiatrists within the last

year and turns out neither one is. Both have very high anxiety and OCD - though

it looks a bit different in each one. It's been a

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Bonnie and others on this thread.

My daughter is diagnosed bipolar and ocd. I wish she did not have the

bipolar diagnosis because of the meds. I also learned after 5 months of various

hospitalizations that diagnosis is more of an art than a science. So, I do

wonder how any parents can have close to complete confidence that the diagnosis

is correct? How many times have we heard " she's complicated " ? The other

" labels " such as oppositional defiance are sometimes used so that medication can

be prescribed without the more serious bipolar diagnosis.

I have a lot of confidence in my daughter's psych doc and recently I

questioned the bipolar stating that her symptoms now were clearly anxiety and

ocd. The doctor said " that's because I have gotten the bipolar under control " .

Yet, she was willing to cut down on the bipolar meds and observe carefully. My

daughter was able to function on 2/3rd's dosage but when we dropped to 1/3 the

aggression increased to the point that I was not willing to " keep trying " . This

doctor feels the time to try is after the teen years but she is willing to work

with me. It's a balancing game and it's tough. I'm sure I'll never stop

questioning (probably a good thing) or second guessing myself.

Dorelle

[Guest guest]

Doelle, I think, like in my dd's case, it is easier to have confidence that the

bipolar diagnosis is correct when they have classic symptoms. My dd would go

from severe depressions to mania and spend weeks at each end before switching to

the other. Unfortunately, hers was very obvious. It took a long time to get her

meds right. She currently takes Lithium, Lamictal, Geodon and Neurontin and we

haven't been able to lower any of the doses without it making her unstable. She

is 19 now and the last time they tried to lower one, at 18, was when she had

been hospitalized for an extended period of time (8weeks). About 5 weeks in to

it, because she was doing well, they lowered her Geodon and it sent her right

into mania again. Only this time they were the ones to have to fix it, which was

kind of relief for me. I am glad your dd is able to do well on lower doses that

is great! Stormy

________________________________

So, I do wonder how any parents can have close to complete confidence that the

diagnosis is correct?

Dorelle

[Guest guest]

Hi Dorelle,

I'm so glad your daughter is doing better and medications sorted out, as much as

they can be! I remember well the challenges you experienced with this. I think

our experiences were somewhat similar, and remember sharing our situations.

We were able to eliminate the mood stabilizer completely, but did have the

anger/aggressive stuff back, but decided to live with it, and it was manageable

by that point, mostly...because of the lower dose of ssri I suspect.

When our son had learned to manage the OCD, we tapered the ssri by half, from

20mg to 10mg, and noticed his ability to moderate his reactions improve, and he

says so himself. The OCD did increase, but he can manage it now, and chooses

the increase in OCD over the med issues/reactivity. It's a trade off, and his

choice.

We still see a cyclical nature to the ramping up of OCD and irritability/revved

up/depression stuff, spring and fall (dark months in general harder). But now

that the OCD is managed, the rest is manageable too. Ours is 19 now, and

maturity, and stability factor that evolves with age helps all of it too.

I guess what I am trying to say, is that whatever bipolar aspect we might have

influencing medication reactions and choices, is quieter on lower doses of meds,

and the influence of stability in all areas (teen/OCD/having some " normal " in

life) is a big factor.. So, to encourage you, we did find huge improvement with

passage of teen instability influence.

As you say, it is all a balancing act, and an art form for the doctors to manage

all this. I kind of feel I have more clarity on it all after the fact, kind

of....can never know for certain what might have worked out better or worse if

we'd done something differently, unfortunately have to learn as you go...and

this is so hard, isn't it?!

Good to hear from you and to know that things are better in general. Is your

daughter able to do the ERP now? How is the OCD piece of it evolving?

Warmly,

Barb

>

> Hi Bonnie and others on this thread.

>

> My daughter is diagnosed bipolar and ocd. I wish she did not have the

bipolar diagnosis because of the meds. I also learned after 5 months of various

hospitalizations that diagnosis is more of an art than a science. So, I do

wonder how any parents can have close to complete confidence that the diagnosis

is correct? How many times have we heard " she's complicated " ? The other

" labels " such as oppositional defiance are sometimes used so that medication can

be prescribed without the more serious bipolar diagnosis.

> I have a lot of confidence in my daughter's psych doc and recently I

questioned the bipolar stating that her symptoms now were clearly anxiety and

ocd. The doctor said " that's because I have gotten the bipolar under control " .

Yet, she was willing to cut down on the bipolar meds and observe carefully. My

daughter was able to function on 2/3rd's dosage but when we dropped to 1/3 the

aggression increased to the point that I was not willing to " keep trying " . This

doctor feels the time to try is after the teen years but she is willing to work

with me. It's a balancing game and it's tough. I'm sure I'll never stop

questioning (probably a good thing) or second guessing myself.

>

> Dorelle

>