Totally off topic...

J

joanietoo

Well-known member
but anyone know anything...pointers..... about bipolar disorder in young children.

Suggestions on handling and which, if any, specialists one could home into in the States that one can recommend.

Not an easy time ahead for a dear friend with a child who has all the symptoms of this.

Many thanks for any help.

J

 
Hi Joanie

BPD in young people is very difficult to diagnose, and often misdiagnosed. It is also a very "popular" diagnosis right now, just as ADD/ADHD and Asperger's Syndrome have been.

It is very important the child be diagnosed by someone who specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, because they are the most familiar with the symptoms, as they manifest somewhat differently in children than adults. Ped Psychs are also more up-to-date about meds and therapies that are effective in peds.

In initial diagnosis, try to avoid folks who specialize in one particular diagnosis or screening. They are great to work with after diagnosis, but can be somewhat partial to their area in diagnosing. In other words, try to avoid someone who deals exclusively with BPD peds in initial diagnosis, as they tend to hone in on the symptoms that marry up with that diagnosis, and disregard other factors that can occur concurrently.

Also, let your friend know that there are a lot of other disorders that can overlap BPD, and to push for a complete diagnosis. Frequently there are other issues in play, and working on them as a whole rather than pieces seems to be better for the child's prognosis.

You can PM me if you have more questions or need more info.

 
LisainLA...

thank you so much for the very good advice....
I'll pass it on.
I have spent hours checking things on the net and feel that ODD is a far larger issue here (ADHD seems no part at all) and so with your advice I'll sugesst to the parents that they go for some-one who does not specialize in one field.
I'll certainly PM you if I am involved in following up all this.....It is so wonderful to know that folk on this board are just the best one can rely on in times of need, what a group.

 
Joanie

the symptoms of ODD and BPD in children are very similar, and can the two can often occur simultaneously. Another reason for the child to be diagnosed by someone familiar with both. Behavioral therapy is very important, in addition to meds, especially with ODD.

I feel for your friends, it is no fun dealing with these things. It is good they are seeking diagnosis and help.

 
Lisa has given you good advice.

Our Medical Alliance just sponsored a mental health symposium and the principal speaker was Kay Redfield Jamison, a doctor at Johns Hopkins who has written several books about her bipolar disorder (One is An Unquiet Mind, I think). Our MA president's daughter was finally diagnosed as bipolar as a young adult. There are different kinds also. Good luck

 
Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Husband is a behavioral specialist SPED teacher and I have several

clients with bipolar children. An excellent resource is a book titled Treating the Explosive Child, I believe the author's name is Stone (I'm sorry I'm not sure, look on Amazon), he's written a few books on the subject. Your friend will want to learn as much as she can to help her child and herself as this is truly difficult. She's lucky to have a concerned friend.

 
Hi Diane, I was going to recommend the same book, it is

by Ross Greene. Another good one is Your Defiant Child, by Russ Barkley.

Diane, are you familiar with the book Quirky Kids by Perri Klass & Eileen Costello? It was recommended to me and I've found it very helpful.

 
You are all so kind...it is touchy with the parents at present, but they are starting to face up

to the fact there is very much a problem looming.
Thanks so much for the advice and suggestions. Hugs
J

 
No advice but my old bosses son had it...

and I certainly understand what it can do to the WHOLE family. They had to lock up everything that was sharp or dangerous because it became such a threat to everyone. My boss got to where he wouldn't come into the office until almost noon. Partially because he would stay up nights watching things and partially because he didn't want to be at home at night until the kids were in bed. He would stay at work until the wee hours of the morning. It was really sad.

Not just this board but the internet in general has proven to be such a wonderful place for things like this - lots of information and lots of wonderful people the world over sharing their experiences and support. My uncle's wife was diagnosed with a rare disease and I researched it for them and made contact with others that had it and you wouldn't believe how those people continue to check with me on her progress and her treatment - from the US to Australia. It's just amazing. It also helped me find one of the top 10 specialist in the world on it and that he had just moved right down the street from me - he took my call and said he would see her just as soon as she could get up here from Mississippi - just wonderful people. BUt this group is the GREATEST!!!

 
Re-reading your original post they need to

get to a major medical center and get a real diagnosis.

 
Hi Lisa: Thank you for saving me on the author's name. I am not familiar with

Quirky Kids but will let hubby know about it. He deals with tough kids every day, his current population are adolescents which just complicates an already difficult issue. The sad thing is that many of the kids are so damaged that by this age the changes seem negligible. H always says that these are behavior kids first, students second- in other words, you cannot expect the same academic performance until you control the behavior. Unfortunately, MASS has a statewide performance test that is administered to and graded for every child equally - a good idea but a recipe for disaster with underachievers. Thanks for the input, he needs all the help he can get. Major burn-out.

 
Hi Diane, California has the same situation as far as academic testing. It's really

a shame, as it does not take these student's unique needs into account. I would agree with your husband's assessment of the behavior kids first, students second.

Unfortunately, behavioral and mental health issues don't get the same respect, attention or treatment as more the more "concrete" LDs or health problems such as diabetes, etc.

The Quirky Kids book might not have any new info to your husband because of his background. I would describe it as geared more toward parents and General Ed teachers, or therapists working with this population. It talks a lot about the overlaps between conditions, types of treatments available, and how to deal with the emotional impact on the child and the entire family as these children progress though life.

 
RE: Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Many children who are labeled as ODD are actually children with a symantic-pragmatic disorder. They cannot comprehend words or convert the words into action. So these kids "cop an attitude" - hence the "defiant" tag.

What do you do with a child like this? You solve the perceptual problem. They are spending too much of their time on processing instead of comprehending. Please check out the parent check list (which is very revealing to parents) at www.simplybrainey.com

For over 35 years, my husband (who is a Neurodevelopmental Optometrist) has dealt with children like this, as well as those who are diagnosed as learning disabled, Asperger's Syndrome, autistic, ADHD, and other related type diagnoses. He has over an 80% rate of success with all these children. Check out the list and his web site, and if anyone has a question, he would be happy to talk with you or give you more information.

CYH - consider yourself hugged
Cyndi
Pittsburgh, PA

 
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