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Keep Talking: Parents and the Waiting Game
by bp insider
Child-rearing can be a challenging and emotional process for anyone. But the stress increases in families with a history of bipolar disorder, who must worry about distinguishing normal childhood upheavals from the signs of an emerging illness.
bp Magazine’s in-depth story, Parents and the Waiting Game, details useful guidelines for parents. While children of bipolar parents are at a higher risk for mood disorders in general, parents are urged to watch but not overreact to normal behavioral issues, especially among teenagers.
Click here to read the full article.
Are you a parent who is watchful of your child exhibiting signs of earl-onset or teen bipolar disorder? If so, how do you monitor these concerns?
Be Heard!
23 Comments so far:
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I constantly worry about my 3-year-old son having bipolar. Every time he has a temper tantrum, I ask myself, “Could this be a symptom?” He wakes up at 11 a.m., making me wonder if he’s showing signs of depression.
Thank you, bp Magazine, for enlightening me.
- Jean Page, Gatineau, QC
My 14-year-old daughter was recently diagnosed as having bipolar disorder. I watched for signs because I didn’t want her to go through all the pain I have had. She’s doing well on medication and is learning at a young age that maintenance is vital to quality of life. I have two more kids. Believe me, my eyes are wide open!
My adult stepson has bipolar disorder, as did my mother. It now appears my 6-year-old granddaughter has it as well. How does a stepparent function within a dysfunctional family dealing with the disorder? I feel crushed by the many white elephants in the room! My saving grace is prayer and a community of friends who will listen. Patrick Kennedy, you are an inspiration. I wish my family could be
so blessed.
As a second-generation bipolar sufferer I have been very watchful of my 16-year-old daughter. Her mood swings are such that I never know if she will wake up as a ’spring’ day, or a ‘raging storm’. For years now I have wondered whether she exhibits symptoms of bipolar or ADHD? I am watching and waiting for her to get older, to see whether or not she will be a third generation victim of bp.
I was diagnosed with bp 40 years ago, when I was 17. Early on, my parents sat up with me, carefully administering my medications. In times of wellness, Mom listened for complaining and music in my room. Silence meant illness. Dad noticed whenever I looked tired. He would point at or pull on his lower eyelids to alert me to it. Their patience and participation made the difference between illness and wellness. These small signs of illness or relapse could save a person and their family the pain of hospitalization.
I was diagnosed with bipolar as an adult. My 11-year-old
daughter was diagnosed with ADD four years ago, when we
moved from Germany to the United States. A low dose of
stimulant medication helped her enormously at home and
in school. Looking back, I had the same symptoms she does when I was a child. What scares me is that my daughter is occasionally depressed, talks of death and suicide, self-harms when angry, and worries compulsively. Since we’ve moved back overseas, a new psychiatrist is assessing her need for meds to help her cope with her “big feelings.” He’s also starting a patient-doctor relationship with her should her problems worsen with puberty. I can’t help feeling I’ve passed along some kind of neurological haywire. Am I doing all I can to help her?
My son began exhibiting signs of ADHD in kindergarten. His moods were erratic, but the medications prescribed created more havoc than stability. When he was in third grade, upon admittance to the hospital, I asked if it was possible he had bipolar disorder instead. This became the turning point in appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder four years ago. My son is 14 and I fear that he may be at risk. I have educated him about my illness and we communicate openly. I monitor his moods and actions vigilantly. My hope is that he may never struggle in the darkness as I did for six long years until I was properly diagnosed.
We’ve tried using sticker charts and point sheets to monitor our son. Communication and patience helps, too! The best “trick” for us has been to write down exactly what our son shouts out during an incident. It keeps us surprisingly
calm and gives him a chance to rip up and throw away those words. If kept, it provides good discussion points for later.
Two of my three sons were diagnosed with early-onset bipolar disorder, so my concerns can quickly become overwhelming! A great support team surrounds me, including doctors, therapists, my husband, and grandparents. Sometimes just talking about things can reduce my stress and clear my sight to help my sons. Coping is easier
with support!
I’m the mother of three children. My two sons, 19 and 10,
have bipolar and ADHD with obsessive-compulsive tendencies. As a result, I watch my 7-year-old daughter like a hawk. It’s important to distinguish the behavior she has learned from her brothers from what may be a mood disorder. Don’t dismiss anything. Keep your eyes open for warning signs. Log a timeline of major meltdowns. Keep in touch with the school about any behavior changes. Follow through on your gut; it never lies. So far, I have only seen obsessive-compulsive tendencies in my daughter. She counts constantly and can’t stop. Our psychiatrist is monitoring her closely.
My 17-year-old daughter and I both have bipolar disorder. I’m 43, and I remember how I felt and acted at that age. I use this to help her as much as I can. I keep a private journal of her behavior and mindset. I also reach out to professionals to bring her the peace of mind she deserves. As a father who is scared to death but educated about this disorder, I feel privileged to be able to help.
Since my 17-year-old son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder seven years ago, I have been on guard. From monitoring his moods and gauging how well medications work to working with six schools in six years, it’s a never-ending struggle. We look for signs of impending mood disruptions when the seasons change, when school starts, or at large gatherings.
I’m the parent of a 13-year-old son who has early-onset bipolar disorder I, and a 19-year-old son who has type II. My first indications of illness were when both children overreacted to situations and severely hurt themselves. My 13- year-old was suicidal when he was 10. His older brother was cutting himself and reacting physically when approached. I watch for signs that their medications aren’t working, and they’re checked monthly. With regular monitoring and watchfulness, they are wonderful, happy, and loving boys.
I have 12-year-old twin daughters diagnosed with bipolar, ADHD, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Each girl has a Children’s Mental Health waiver and neither goes into the community alone. I frequently communicate with the LSI workers who take them into the community, their teachers, their case manager, and their psychiatrist.
I have bipolar type 1. Our 12 y/o son spent 4 days last week in partial hospitalization. Severe anxiety and depression. His doctors recognize him as bipolar but don’t want to label him quite yet. This week he had thoughts of cutting. We called his doctors immediately. It is a constant battle to find peace. Family and friends think its poor parenting but we know its a different animal.
I was diagnosed 10 years ago with type II Bipolar disorder. Last year I went off medication for almost a year and then got hit with a hypomanic period followed by the severest depression I have ever faced. During this depression my daughter was diagnosed as Bipolar possibly Type I. I can see her struggling but she doesn’t want to open up to much as she is afraid of stressing me. She has agreed to go to therapy and is medicated but we are still trying to find the right combination of medication. This has been a heartbreak for me but slowly I am realizing that God has reasons for everything and at least I have the ability to help her because of my own experiences. I am confused as to how much to tell her about the illness. I don’t want to scare her. I’ve started ordering books to read. It is difficult to read them and think that this may happen to my daughter. So far she has not had any kind of major swing in either direction… just mild to moderate… I wonder whether to tell her teachers. I have so many questions. Where can I get answers and help?
I am a 52 yr old female that was diagnosed with bipolar disorder almost 20 years ago. I have a beautiful, exceptionally intelligent 23 yr old daughter. I have been covertly watching her for signs or symptoms of BP, and when there are episodes that might be questionable, we call on the mental health profession to help us. But, I also reassure her that if she ever should be diagnosed with BP, new and successful treatments are always being discovered. So there is a LOT of hope.
Hey all. I have been wondering could i possibly have bipolar. I could be quite normal and then at one moment in time find myself completely able to focus,consentrate and so on. It all starts with a feeling in my head that feels very heavy and just increases as to a place were i am lost in racing thoughts and a completely different outlook on life. I dont experience to many symptoms of mania and i also work well with my finaces. This could last for a week and these episodes happen once a month. I am also a musician and during this time songs just race through my head continualy. Please e-mail me at matt@rentacheapie.co.za
I am just wondering why you never mention Bipolar II? Many people have Bipolar II as well as I, I’m not sure what the breakdown is–but the prognosis for BPII is good–one can expect to live a fairly normal life, is my understanding–so I don’t think anyone would be waiting and wondering in that case or so fearful that their child would have the disorder. Shouldn’t you distinguish between I and II in your articles–or at least acknowledge there is a spectrum?
If you suspect your child is bipolar get help for them early. I am bipolar and it was not discovered until I was an adult. Perhaps if it had been taken care of at an early age I would not have suffered through some of the terrible things I did. It was by the grace of God that I survived.
I was diagnosed with Bi-polar a few years ago but am quite certain that I had it in my teens! My 6 year old son, has always been a stinker but as he is getting older, it is more a destructive behavior with episodes of rage. When I look at him I see myself in a mirror and 6 months ago we went to our family doctor who sent us to a therapist who pretty much told us his behvior was OUR (my husband & I) fault even though she had no idea what we go through at home with his rages! We then went to my therapist and doctor they have pretty much put us on a wild goose chase saying we need this test or that test!! Needless to say my husband and I are at our wits end and the other night we both sat and cried becasue all we want is help for our son and everyone seems to be pushing us aside!! We have been on this road for 6 months and we arent’ any further than we were when we started!! You can only imagine what this is doing to me even though I am taking my meds regularly!!
your are what you know, and how you know is what you are… who better to lead then some one that know the way.
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