Children with ADHD and/or Bipolar disorders...

[VS]

Hello TB'ers!

I have two children, ages 2 & 4. The four year old has severe ADHD & Bipolar symptoms and is medicated for the ADHD but not the Bipolar. The medication has helped in a few areas, but there are still issues that need to be addressed.

For those of you with children that have these disorders, what do you do to help your child? I hope perhaps we can all help each other and our children if we discover methods that are beneficial. Thanks guy's. -Luke

[MakiSupaStar]

Just curious. How did you come to diagnose ADHD in your four year old? Four year olds are naturally pretty energetic and have limited attention spans. This has just been my experience. I'm not saying you were quick to judge or anything like that, I'm just curious how this came to be. Same with bipolar. I only ask because kids that young are pretty erratic, especially if you compare them to adults. I understand that as parents the decision to medicate your child is a heavy decision, please don't mistake my inquiry as a judgement against your decision, I'm just more curious as to what behaviors triggered you to seek a doctor.

[Mike Dimin]

you should check out the work of Ross Greene. Although not specific to ADHD/bipolar, he has some really good techniques for dealing with difficult children

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Just curious. How did you come to diagnose ADHD in your four year old? Four year olds are naturally pretty energetic and have limited attention spans. This has just been my experience. I'm not saying you were quick to judge or anything like that, I'm just curious how this came to be. Same with bipolar. I only ask because kids that young are pretty erratic, especially if you compare them to adults. I understand that as parents the decision to medicate your child is a heavy decision, please don't mistake my inquiry as a judgement against your decision, I'm just more curious as to what behaviors triggered you to seek a doctor.

I was curious as well, but didnt want to comment. Now, Im not saying that the OP is one of these people, I dont know his situation and am not making a judgement on him, but I do believe that some parents are too quick to resort to medication in younger children in regards to ADD/ADHD.

[Relic]

I'll second that - those are usually the ages when things like autism and such first appear. That's very early for bipolarism and ADHD?

[VS]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Just curious. How did you come to diagnose ADHD in your four year old? Four year olds are naturally pretty energetic and have limited attention spans. This has just been my experience. I'm not saying you were quick to judge or anything like that, I'm just curious how this came to be. Same with bipolar. I only ask because kids that young are pretty erratic, especially if you compare them to adults.

I've been asked this before and I can completely understand where you're coming from. There are actions and behavioral characteristics that are definitive in all ages. His started to surface at 3 years old. These behavioral characteristics were so definitive in my son, that he was sent to an institution for testing by his doctor. (No, he was not kept there,lol.) They made a 100% diagnosis in less than an hour and after about of month of runarounds, they medicated him with a stimulant called Vyvanse. He has even more characteristics of Bipolar disorder. Most doctors won't medicate a child for ADHD until they're 5 years old. His case was so severe, that the institution suggested to his doctor that he be medicated for his safety, as well as others around him. -Luke

[MatticusMania]

Thank you for sharing that Luke. Maybe you could post some of the behavioral characteristics that your sons doctor noticed that led him to suggest further testing?

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by VS

I've been asked this before and I can completely understand where you're coming from. There are actions and behavioral characteristics that are definitive in all ages. His started to surface at 3 years old. These behavioral characteristics were so definitive in my son, that he was sent to an institution for testing by his doctor. (No, he was not kept there,lol.) They made a 100% diagnosis in less than an hour and after about of month of runarounds, they medicated him with a stimulant called Vyvanse. He has even more characteristics of Bipolar disorder. Most doctors won't medicate a child for ADHD until they're 5 years old. His case was so severe, that the institution suggested to his doctor that he be medicated for his safety, as well as others around him. -Luke

Yeah that's what I thought. I don't think even a professional level I've even seen 5 year olds medicated. I have seen a few 6 year olds. A lot of my middle school students are medicated however. So is this medication alongside diet modification too?

[VS]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I was curious as well, but didnt want to comment. Now, Im not saying that the OP is one of these people, I dont know his situation and am not making a judgement on him, but I do believe that some parents are too quick to resort to medication in younger children in regards to ADD/ADHD.

I know exactly what you mean! There are a lot of impatient parents who don't understand the mind of a child and simply think there must be something wrong with the child, not them. I do assure you, this is simply not the case. -Luke

[L-A]

My first reaction is about the diagnosis too. A mental health specialist usually looks for complete mood cycles of around 6 months to a year when it comes to bipolar personality disorder.

Besides, a young child's hormonal balance is more Vietnam war than Swiss watch.

EDIT: Just read your replies. I think there are very few parents in a situation similar to yours. Do you know of specialized forums about this? Maybe it's something a specialist could help you finding too.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by VS

I know exactly what you mean! There are a lot of impatient parents who don't understand the mind of a child and simply think there must be something wrong with the child, not them. I do assure you, this is simply not the case. -Luke

I certainly did not mean to imply that it was. I apologize if my post came off that way.

[fenderhutz]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Thank you for sharing that Luke. Maybe you could post some of the behavioral characteristics that your sons doctor noticed that led him to suggest further testing?

+1

[Mike Dimin]

Although neither of my children exhibit any symptoms, for the past 21 years I have taught in residential facilities for children, many of who suffer from ADHD, Aspergers, etc. I can only say that love, safety, patience, parental education, and family resources are key.

Try not to associate the condition with the person. Measure your successes in millimeters.

Mike

[VS]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Thank you for sharing that Luke. Maybe you could post some of the behavioral characteristics that your sons doctor noticed that led him to suggest further testing?

Failure at paying attention in most situations
Trouble sustaining attention in tasks and play
Does not listen when spoken to directly and failure to make eye contact
Instructional & organization problems
Easily distracted and forgetful
Impulsivity

These are some main topics which some are common among children of this age. Obviously his case is a severe case and should not be considered the norm. His diet was changed slightly. -Luke

[VS]

These are some of the characteristics of HIS bipolar symptoms.

Separation anxiety

Rages & explosive temper tantrums

Marked irritability

Oppositional behavior

Frequent mood swings

Distractibility

Hyperactivity

Impulsivity

Restlessness/ fidgetiness

Silliness, goofiness, giddiness

Racing thoughts

Aggressive behavior

Carbohydrate cravings

Risk-taking behaviors

Depressed mood

Lethargy

Oversensitivity to emotional or environmental triggers

-Luke

[L-A]

^ Doesn't this scream Asperger ?

[VS]

Originally Posted by L-A

^ Doesn't this scream Asperger ?

In his case, no. Not from what the doctors and us as parents have detected. He doesn't really fit the major symptoms of Aspergers. Yet fits like a glove in ADHD and Bipolar. -Luke

[Relic]

Originally Posted by VS

Failure at paying attention in most situations
Trouble sustaining attention in tasks and play
Does not listen when spoken to directly and failure to make eye contact
Instructional & organization problems
Easily distracted and forgetful
Impulsivity

These are some main topics which some are common among children of this age. Obviously his case is a severe case and should not be considered the norm. His diet was changed slightly. -Luke

hey Luke - has there been any testing for autism or aspergers?

Oops, nevermind, I see your response above.

What sort of diet are they on? Have you ever tried a gluten-free type approach? I never tried that with my oldest son but there are many parents who absolutely swear by that.

[VS]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I certainly did not mean to imply that it was. I apologize if my post came off that way.

No,no,you're fine! I'm in a particular situation with a particular child. No one is going to have the exact same issues I do, but I think we can help each other define what triggers certain behavior issues. Diet, environmental etc... -Luke

[VS]

Originally Posted by Relic

hey Luke - has there been any testing for autism or aspergers?

Oops, nevermind, I see your response above.

What sort of diet are they on? Have you ever tried a gluten-free type approach? I never tried that with my oldest son but there are many parents who absolutely swear by that.

I would honestly say that they're on a fairly normal diet. Now, there is a huge gap of what people call normal,lol. I'm not a health nut, but I buy natural foods mostly. No artificial colors/flavors or preservatives. No high fructose corn syrup and things of that nature. They get fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and meats with no by-products and such. No, I haven't tried a gluten-free diet though. I will look into that. As every child should, they get a happy meal from the McKiller's now and again,lol. -Luke