Can a stimulant (ritilin?) bring about hypomania in a child?.... - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

elbasso · 03-13-2007, 10:21 AM

First of all, I'm the one with bipolar disorder. My 8-year-old daughter was just diagnosed as ADD and started a course of ******** (ritilan)...the side effects were not good. She became so irritable that everyone around her could hardly stand being with her, and her mood swings went from irritable to sad frequently throughout the day. She also had some intense anxiety. Her doctor saw this and took her off of the drug. We are going to see the psych about her reaction next week.

Here are my questions though...this almost sounds like a hypomanic episode (she still isn't back to normal after two weeks off of the drug). First, does anyone know the chances of my children having BP because of her family history (myself...there are also a couple of others on my dad's side) of bp and alcoholism (very strong on both sides of my own family, and I can't touch alcohol either). Also, can a stimulant (********) given to someone who had never had a hypomanic episode before, cause them to be bipolar (I'm not sure how to phrase that)?

Hope that paragraph made sense

Thanks,
Angie

goody2shuz · 03-13-2007, 10:34 AM

Hi, Angie....yes to all of the above!! With your family history and your daughter's reaction to the Ritalin it is almost certain that she is BP. Sounds as if she had an induced mania/hypomania. You mustn't feel bad about this because if your daughter has the gene for BP it would have been just a matter of time before it was triggered. Either by stress, a traumatice experience or loss such as a death in the family, loss of a pet or a divorce or even hormonal changes will trigger the emergence of BP. In a way it is a blessing if it happened now because the earlier it is treated the better.

Also, if you read up on it, BP and ADHD share alot of the same charactereistics and are often misdiagnosed for one another. I would suggest that you go to the library and read up all that you can about BP....the book "The Bipolar Child" is a wonderful one which will have you well informed before you actually meet with the psychiatrist. Usually most psychiatrists are not quick to diagnose BP in children but with your family history as well as your daughter's reaction to the stimulant, it is most likely that they will treat her for BP.

My advice is to get as much information as you can about children with BP and how it is treated. It is treated much differently than as with an adult s educating yourself is very important in terms of supporting your daughter and being proactive in her overall progress and treatment. AND....as I am finding out, it isn't an easy thing to go through as a parent...finding support for yourself and the rest of your family will be vital in getting through this with strength and little effects on your immediate family. Everyone is affected by BP...it is not just the child, it is everybody who loves her as well.

There are many of us here for you....I am sure that as I have found, knowing that there are others who are walking in your two shoes really is a blessing and helps to carry you through.

Welcome and we look forward to seeing more of you here ~ Goody, the one dishing out lots of (((HUGS)))

tsohl · 03-13-2007, 10:51 AM

Hello,

Goody said it all pretty well. Another book I would recommend is "Understanding the Mind of Your Bipolar Child" by Gregory T. Lombardo. This man was a teacher before becoming a psychiatrist and he is himself bipolar. He approaches things from a developmental viewpoint and touches on lots of topics like ADD ADHD, substance abuse, separation anxiety, school issues...it is very helpful.

There are several moms on here currently that have younger kids -- BetsyAnn and 5boys come to mind, but there are others, too. You might want to look for their threads and say hello. I know 5boys is laid up this week; she had her tonsils out yesterday so probably won't be posting for a couple days.

I agree that even though you youself are bipolar, there is so much new information out there on childhood onset bipolar disorder that there is much to be learned.

Welcome to the board. I hope you will find it as helpful as I have.

Tsohl

elbasso · 03-13-2007, 02:17 PM

Hi! Thank you so much for your replies. Another thing I was thinking of. In my online reading, they talk a lot about bipolar children as being very hyperactive and aggressive...my daughter never has been that way. She HAS been moody since birth. She also has language delays (receptive and expressive), and so she appears inattentive in class, and that too makes me wonder about the ADD diagnosis. Anyway, I'm babbling now

Angie

tsohl · 03-13-2007, 02:30 PM

How was the diagnosis of ADD made and, by whom?