jewelies
02-08-2007, 04:48 PM
Hi there,
Just wanting some input on my son who is 13 and Bi-Polar. I know background is important so here we go. My son was demonstrating severe anti-social, angry, overeacting behavior in Kindergarten. We knew immediately there was something wrong. We took him to a psychiatrist and they disgnosed him ADD, put him on meds and none seemed to help. In first grade he was getting suspended for complete resistance. We lived through hell for that year, the next year we finally changed Dr.s and got a diagnosis of Bi-polar, and started a combination of meds, he improved a little, and we got him into a special school for Children with behavior disorders-best thing EVER! He stayed at that school on anti-depressants for 2 years and graduated out of the program for doing well. Our son as he grew into his 3rd and 4th year of school (at the special program) demonstrated mostly depressive behaviors, with resistant tendencies, and impulse control. He seemed to do ok though. We then put him into the regular schools special programs, still for behavioral issues, but less regimented. He has stayed that way on Zoloft for about 3 years now and is doing really well, excellent grades, but still catching up to consequence interpretation, impulse control (manipulation, to get others going), easily irritated, not as depressed, better sleeping habits, just overall better. My opinion is because of all of the behavior learning he has done since 3rd grade. He is now in 7th grade, and starting puberty, and it has done well in some areas-maturity, happier, better able to make friends, choosing the right. I've also noticed that he is demonstrating some mania-hyper sensitive-easily irritable to extremes, outbursts in class, highly manipulative and a little irrational at times. My theory is that although he has done well on the Zoloft all of this time, and it has helped with the depression and self-esteem, he is now experience the manic part of the disease as hormones kick in. It's just starting- I've seen manic, his Dad is Bi-Polar. I ask my son about what he thinks about all of these changes and ask if he would like to talk to the Doctor about it (as if he really has a true choice, but we know if we can get their buy-in, it always helps) He says that he doesn't care, and that he doesn't see a difference on or off his medication (which we have tried). On his medication he gets manic, so we have temporarily taken him off until we can get to the Doctor. I see him get a little depressive behavior, but not too extreme, not as extreme as the manic when he is on Zoloft. Is this common for puberty? Any additional advice?
Just wanting some input on my son who is 13 and Bi-Polar. I know background is important so here we go. My son was demonstrating severe anti-social, angry, overeacting behavior in Kindergarten. We knew immediately there was something wrong. We took him to a psychiatrist and they disgnosed him ADD, put him on meds and none seemed to help. In first grade he was getting suspended for complete resistance. We lived through hell for that year, the next year we finally changed Dr.s and got a diagnosis of Bi-polar, and started a combination of meds, he improved a little, and we got him into a special school for Children with behavior disorders-best thing EVER! He stayed at that school on anti-depressants for 2 years and graduated out of the program for doing well. Our son as he grew into his 3rd and 4th year of school (at the special program) demonstrated mostly depressive behaviors, with resistant tendencies, and impulse control. He seemed to do ok though. We then put him into the regular schools special programs, still for behavioral issues, but less regimented. He has stayed that way on Zoloft for about 3 years now and is doing really well, excellent grades, but still catching up to consequence interpretation, impulse control (manipulation, to get others going), easily irritated, not as depressed, better sleeping habits, just overall better. My opinion is because of all of the behavior learning he has done since 3rd grade. He is now in 7th grade, and starting puberty, and it has done well in some areas-maturity, happier, better able to make friends, choosing the right. I've also noticed that he is demonstrating some mania-hyper sensitive-easily irritable to extremes, outbursts in class, highly manipulative and a little irrational at times. My theory is that although he has done well on the Zoloft all of this time, and it has helped with the depression and self-esteem, he is now experience the manic part of the disease as hormones kick in. It's just starting- I've seen manic, his Dad is Bi-Polar. I ask my son about what he thinks about all of these changes and ask if he would like to talk to the Doctor about it (as if he really has a true choice, but we know if we can get their buy-in, it always helps) He says that he doesn't care, and that he doesn't see a difference on or off his medication (which we have tried). On his medication he gets manic, so we have temporarily taken him off until we can get to the Doctor. I see him get a little depressive behavior, but not too extreme, not as extreme as the manic when he is on Zoloft. Is this common for puberty? Any additional advice?
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babyluv45
02-08-2007, 09:28 PM
I was the exact same way when I was your son's age and I am 18 now. It is hard, I know it was hard for my dad. I was put on a lot of anti-depressants and ended up manic before the bipolar diagnosis. I would ask about a mood stabalizer like Depakote or Lithium. They helped so so much for me. Good luck!
Paige1989
02-08-2007, 10:41 PM
I was put on Zoloft when I was fifteen (I'm seventeen now) and while it worked for a little while, I ended up with manic swings as well. I think it is probably pretty common. I am now on Abilify (mood stabiliser, mostly for mania), Lamictal (mood stabiliser, mostly for depression), Ativan (anxiety), and Klonapin (anxiety), as well as Trazedone (for sleep) as needed. I am MUCH more stable now than I was before. Also, something that helped me a lot recently was coming off of caffeine. If he consumes a lot of caffeine, try to get him to wean down. When I was first diagnosed, I tried to convince myself that there was no difference on or off meds, and took myself off of them multiple times, so I know where he's coming from trying to say there's no difference. I would recommend you see his doctor (with him, of course) to talk to him/her about a mood stabiliser, maybe in addition to the Zoloft, maybe without the Zoloft entirely.
Just my two cents. ^^
Paige
Just my two cents. ^^
Paige
jules3
02-08-2007, 11:21 PM
PAIGE, im curious to know how many klonopins and ativans you take a day? did you ever abuse drugs in an episode at all? im not being nosy just wondering if you ever felt the need to take more than prescribed for your anxiety? im afaid my 20 yr. old abuses his klonopins. he too has alot of anxiety.
Paige1989
02-08-2007, 11:59 PM
I take one Ativan first thing in the morning before school - 0.5 mg. and I have a script for "as needed" during the schoolday, but I don't utilise that at all.
I take Klonopin right before bed for anxiety at night; it also helps me sleep - also 0.5 mg.
I'd say the Ativan's more affective than the Klonapin, but the Klonapin helps enough that the racing thoughts/anxiety at night is curbed..for the most part. But I've never taken more than is prescribed, and sometimes I take less....I'm really conscientious about the drugs I'm on because I'm terrified of ODing or something. :S
I take Klonopin right before bed for anxiety at night; it also helps me sleep - also 0.5 mg.
I'd say the Ativan's more affective than the Klonapin, but the Klonapin helps enough that the racing thoughts/anxiety at night is curbed..for the most part. But I've never taken more than is prescribed, and sometimes I take less....I'm really conscientious about the drugs I'm on because I'm terrified of ODing or something. :S
MSLAINIE
02-09-2007, 04:25 AM
My Son Now 16 In Few Days. Was 13 When We Started To Figure Out He Was Bipolar. It Took Alot Of Different Med Combo's To Get Where We Are Today And It Is Ok. Zoloft Made Him Nuts And He Didnt Sleep Much. Now He Is On Deparkote And Abilify And This Combo For Now Is Working. The Psy Doc Does Check His Hormone Level As His Depakote Blood Level Every Month. In Last 3 Years We Have Made Changes To Get To Med Combo Now.
Now My Daughter 13.6 Has Adhd And A Few Of Systoms Are The Same But There Is A Big Difference Between The Bipolar And Adhd In My 2 Children.
Good Luck,sorry For Spell Errors, I Am Tired.
Mslainie
Now My Daughter 13.6 Has Adhd And A Few Of Systoms Are The Same But There Is A Big Difference Between The Bipolar And Adhd In My 2 Children.
Good Luck,sorry For Spell Errors, I Am Tired.
Mslainie
jules3
02-09-2007, 08:41 AM
Paige, thats a good amount to help you with anxiety. good luck to you..you are a smart, realistic kid and something tells me you are going to be fine :) :) :wave: