adhd and mild bipolar - ADD / ADHD Message Board

momofzak · 11-25-2003, 08:18 PM

Hi and Happy Thankgiving.We recently took our son to a child psychiatrist because at the highest dose of concerta he was still not focusing and having trouble with his moods. She told us he had the mildest level of bi polar type 2 and put him on zyprexa zygis.He takes it at night and it seems to be working. I know this sounds terrible but we were so happy to hear his problem had a name.He is doing better with his focusing and behavior.He is still on Concerta during the day for his adhd.She also told us that Straterra was not a good match for our son as he had the mood disorder and it was putting him way into
the manic mode.He had a terrible time on straterra although I am sure it is great for other people.Just wanted to express our relief and pleasure to know he is going to be alright.Thanks for listening.

free~spirit · 12-01-2003, 01:08 AM

Glad things are going better for your son. It seems that most people who have any form of bipolar don't tend to do very well on strattera.

momofzak · 12-01-2003, 03:45 PM

Hi free spirit.We were totally shocked when the doc told us our son had bipolar.But so glad to know why the use of straterra was such a disaster for him.She described
his behavior on straterra to a tee.Anyway this new med seems to be helping and I thank you for you kind words.

free~spirit · 12-01-2003, 07:39 PM

Lots of kids diagnosed ADHD really have bipolar disorder, some have it along with the ADHD. It's much more common than people realize. It's really good that you caught it at a young age. Is he in therapy? Bipolar type II is the mainly depressive type correct? That's the type my brother has, along with ADHD and some other issues.

Have you been able to get extra accomodations for him at school due to his bipolar?

Would you mind sharing a bit of what strattera was like for your son? I have the subtype of ADD that is a lot like bipolar and my short trial on strattera was a disaster to say the least.

brainfog · 12-01-2003, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by free~spirit

Bipolar type II is the mainly depressive type correct?

Bi-polar II is rapid cycling which makes it 'look' a lot like AD/HD. With bi-polar type two, mood can fluctuate as quick as hourly, daily, or weekly; however, with traditional bi-polar type one, mood fluctuates in monthly increments. *Usually* 4 months manic, 4 months 'normal', and 4 months depressed.