What Can I Expect? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

Gidget4608 · 06-03-2004, 02:21 PM

My 8 year old was just diagnosed with Bi Polar and I am soooo confused. At the moment things are going well and everything seems to be fine but from what I am reading that will end soon enough. His main problem is with school. Being that he is 8 and in all honesty other than the behavior problems at school and a short fuse I would not have thought anything was wrong - what can I expect in the upcoming months/years?

mudhound · 06-03-2004, 05:13 PM

Wow! I feel your pain. My wife has bipolar. It is not the same though the experiences may be similar.
1st of all, how or who did the diagnosis? It would seem that 8 years old would be a bit young to start having BP. However, being treated so young could help the rest of her life. I wish my wife would have found out a lot sooner than she did.
I would suggest finding a support group near were you live. I mean a person to person group. Stay here online too. This board has some very thoughtful people on it. Their advice will help you! I have been helped immensely by them.
Welcome to the board!

Gidget4608 · 06-04-2004, 08:03 AM

Thanks Mudhound he was diagnosed by a child psychiatrist - in fact one of the leading indicators was that he was given Zoloft for high anxiety and it sent him into an unbelievable tirade - come to find out now that that is a common reaction to Zoloft in kids that have not been diagnosed with bi-polar before the given the medicine. He also has a very short fuse and on both sides of his family history of depression and alcoholism. From what I am reading it is becoming more common to diagnose bi polar younger and younger. I have a neighbor that was diagnosed 5 years ago (at age 13) and they believe she has had it since birth so......I dont know. It seems at this point he has a very mild case of it but from what I am reading he is just gearing up......that scares me and I dont know what to expect.

Thanks for your advice.

Gidget4608 · 06-05-2004, 09:10 PM

I am putting this back up to find out where to find a support group. I have tried the yellow pages, hospitals and community boards - nothing. Anyone have any ideas?

mudhound · 06-06-2004, 06:09 AM

Try Google search and type in : **** + support groups. It should be the first hit. Good Luck

God Bless