anyone know anything like symtoms and relative stories or websites about juvenile bipolar disorder?
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The word "bipolar" is simply a label used to categorise a list of psychosocial traits that Psychiatry considers to be improper or abnormal in society. Psychiatry defines these traits as a "mental illness", and promotes it as a "disease" that requires "treatment".\n\nIt is not a "disease", despite claims or implications made by certain psychiatric and pharmaceutical organisations. There is NO credible scientific evidence that shows the existence of what constitutes "bipolar" as a biological/neurological disorder, brain abnormality or "chemical imbalance".\n\n"For a disease to exist there must be a tangible, objective physical abnormality that can be determined by a test such as, but not limited to, blood or urine test, X-Ray, brain scan or biopsy. All reputable doctors would agree: No physical abnormality, no disease. In psychiatry, no test or brain scan exists to prove that a 'mental disorder' is a physical disease. Disingenuous comparisons between physical and mental illness and medicine are simply part of psychiatry's orchestrated but fraudulent public relations and marketing campaign." Fred Baughman, MD., Neurologist & Pediatric Neurologist.\n\n"Chemical imbalance…it’s a shorthand term really, it’s probably drug industry derived… We don’t have tests because to do it, you’d probably have to take a chunk of brain out of someone - not a good idea." Dr. Mark Graff, Chair of the Committee of Public Affairs for the American Psychiatric Association. July, 2005.\n\nSymptoms that psychiatry labels as "bipolar" (or it's related disorders), can stem from any number of variable sources. Many people, for example, have overcome "bipolar" through megavitamin therapy and effective nutrition. A growing wealth of evidence supports that underlying nutritional deficiencies can cause even the most severe mental disorders, including symptoms labelled as "schizophrenia" [See source refs]\n\nBottom line? Psychiatry is a belief-system, a "faith", not a science. Despite the huge marketing strategies, the so-called "research" and all the propaganda thrown at the world, there is not one iota of scientific evidence that proves that "schizophrenia" or ANY mental illness, in fact, exists as an actual --medical disease--.\n\nIf you have been told differently then know this: You have been lied to.\n\nFor more information, please visit:\n\nhttp://groups.msn.com/psychbusters\nDecoding Psychiatric Propaganda\n\nFor information on non-drug / alternative approaches:\n- http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/default.htm#B\n- http://www.pendulum.org/articles/articles_misc_lisaalt.html\n- http://www.truehope.com/_empowerplus/empowerplus.asp\n- http://www.mentalhealthproject.com/content.asp?id_Content=1575
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I would be very leary of a doctor diagnosing a child of 6 as bipolar...labels stick and typically, people either rise or fall to others expectations.  I would tell you that if by "bipolar" you mean a behavior problem...then your best bet is a strong behavior modification program...a therapist can assist you and the child...AND set up some program for school...good behavior modification program= success.\n\nPS  Be watchful of medications..children are changing and growing so quickly that their medication often needs tweeking.
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I am going through a similar thing with my son, and getting an accurate diagnosis, especially in children, is difficult. \n\nSome books you might find helpful are:\n\nThe Bipolar Child by Demitri and Janice Papolos\nHealing ADD by Daniel Amen\nThe Explosive Child by Ross Greene\n1-2-3 Magic by Thomas Phalen\n\nSome websites are:\n\nhttp://www.bipolarchild.com/\nhttp://www.bpkids.org/\nhttp://www.chadd.org\n\nGood Luck :-)
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http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356\nBipolar disorder\nIntroduction\n\nFrom high to low. From euphoria to depression. From recklessness to listlessness. These are the extremes associated with bipolar disorder, which can be a serious and disabling mental illness. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depression or manic-depressive illness — manic behavior is one extreme of this disorder and depression is the other.\n\nBipolar disorder often begins in adolescence or early adulthood and may persist throughout life. The causes of bipolar disorder are elusive, and there's no cure.\n\nThe flares of bipolar disorder may last for weeks or months, causing great disturbances in the lives of those affected, their friends and their families. Left untreated, the condition usually worsens. But bipolar disorder can be managed with medications and other therapies.\nSigns and symptoms\n\nBipolar disorder is characterized by an alternating pattern of emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). The intensity of the associated signs and symptoms varies. Bipolar disorder can range from a mild condition to a severe condition, and there may be periods of normal behavior.\n\nManic phase\nFor many people, signs and symptoms in the manic phase may include:\n\n    * Feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism and inflated self-esteem\n    * Rapid speech, racing thoughts, agitation and increased physical activity\n    * Poor judgment\n    * Recklessness or taking chances not normally taken\n    * Difficulty sleeping\n    * Tendency to be easily distracted\n    * Inability to concentrate\n    * Aggressive behavior\n\nDepressive phase\nIn the depressive phase, signs and symptoms include:\n\n    * Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt or hopelessness\n    * Disturbances in sleep and appetite\n    * Fatigue and loss of interest in daily activities\n    * Problems concentrating\n    * Irritability\n    * Chronic pain without a known cause\n    * Recurring thoughts of suicide\n\nCauses\n\nDoctors and researchers don't know exactly what causes bipolar disorder. But a variety of biologic, genetic and environmental factors seem to be involved in causing and triggering episodes of this illness.\n\nEvidence indicates that differences in the chemical messengers between nerve cells in the brain (neurotransmitters) occur in people who have bipolar disorder. In many cases, people with a bipolar disorder may have a genetic disposition for the disorder. The abnormality may be in genes that regulate neurotransmitters. However, not everyone with a family member who has bipolar disorder will develop the disease.\n\nFactors that may contribute to or trigger episodes of bipolar disorder include drug abuse and stressful or psychologically traumatic events.\nRisk factors\n\nBipolar disorder tends to run in families. A family history of depression appears to exist in 80 percent to 90 percent of cases of bipolar disorder. Researchers are attempting to identify genes that may make people susceptible to bipolar disorder.\nWhen to seek medical advice\n\nPeople with bipolar disorder often don't recognize how impaired they are when experiencing a mood episode and how greatly the disorder is affecting their lives and the lives of others. Friends, family and primary care physicians are all important in recognizing possible signs of bipolar disorder and urging the person to seek professional help.\n\nIf a family member or friend shows signs of bipolar disorder, encourage that person to seek the care of a psychiatrist.\nScreening and diagnosis\n\nYour doctor may ask you or a family member who has accompanied you about your signs and symptoms and to describe apparent episodes of mania and depression. Diagnosis also involves ruling out other mental health conditions that may produce some symptoms similar to bipolar disorder. These may include other mood disorders, sometimes schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or borderline per
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Try this one www.efnc.com  or www.epilpsyfoundation.org\nYou should be able to get some useful info there.
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That's gotta suck for you - and for him, too, probably.\n\nMedication compliance is not an uncommon problem for bipolars.  You've probably already heard lurid tales of what happens when bipolars go "off the meds."\n\nMy first question back to you is, does your son understand the diagnosis, or does he believe it's all a bunch of mind-control hokum, designed to get him Under the Thumb?  (Paranoia is not an uncommon aspect to just about any mental health issue.)\n\nIf he does understand the diagnosis, you might consider a family contract (see link below to an example.)  The only problem I have with the example contract is the first line, assuming that a bipolar person in the midst of an episode could even begin to "stay calm."  That's just unrealistic.\n\nThe benefit of the contract, though, is that if he agrees to it during a lucid moment, where he sees that his disorder really can threaten his own life and the lives of those he loves, it empowers you - completely - to do what you have to do to protect yourself in the event he's not stable (i.e., not taking his meds or they're not working anymore.)\n\nThere are tons of example contracts out there on the web.\n\nAlso, have you tried family counseling?  As a family, it's critical to determine what your coping mechanisms are/will be for instances of instability or dangerous behavior.\n\nGood luck to you, and to him.\n\nOh and before I forget, there's a great book he might want to read, it's called "An Unquiet Mind" by Kay Jamison - it's a memoir of a woman with bipolar disorder, only she's a psychiatrist so she has a special perspective.  Very well-written.  If you kid likes books at all he might dig this one.  Or not.  Hard to tell.\n\n****************\n\nWell, darn it, I thought about this as I was taking my own meds last night and I wonder if maybe the Klonopin makes him feel kind of dumbed-out.  If he likes his sharp manic side (and you said he was pretty smart, or at least got good grades,) feeling dull and doped out might be causing some of his noncompliance issues.  There are lots of meds out there that can be used for bipolar disorder.
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Funny that you should mention losing your mother, because in an article I recently read about causes of bipolar, one that was expressedly listed was "a death in the family". I'm not sure of your age, as that may have something to do with it, but in these situations, see a psychologist, and if you are diagnosed with it (or not), I would get a few other opinions, because it is a major disorder. \n\nNot to call you crazy or any of that, but it's something to be taken very seriously, because it can really effect your life in a strongly negative way if you don't take care of it.\n\nAll people vary, and I don't know your age. For all I know this could be a part of puberty that just had coincidental timing or something of that nature. Surely see someone and do some research, I've included a great site to read up on it.\n\nhttp://bipolar.about.com/cs/bpbasics/a/what_causes_bp.htm
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I had a husband who had bipolar disorder.  It was severe. He got arrested, shoplifted, embezzled from his jobs, was addicted to porn, chatted in porn chat rooms and eventually met up with the women he met on line, screamed, yelled, lied, broke things, slept for days, had obsessive compulsive symptoms, was addicted to Nyquil, alcohol, etc.\n\nAfter doing an intervention and telling him he either needed to get some serious help or I would leave him, he told me no.  So I left him.  He has a new girlfriend now and she has two young children.  I worry for them, but you MUST understand that this is her life's journey and it is no longer your place to save her or HIM for that matter.  Let them be.  You live your life now. I have a child with mine too and the best I can do is love her all I can, help her understand her father's illness and let them have once a week visits, but never overnight.\n\nAll of those things you are describing about her behavior are illness related. It doesn't help that she didn't seem to have a solid spiritual grounding either.\n\nGood luck to you in the future. I hope it helps to at least know others have been through this and come through it ok.
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http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356 \n \nBipolar disorder\nIntroduction\nFrom high to low. From euphoria to depression. From recklessness to listlessness. These are the extremes associated with bipolar disorder, which can be a serious and disabling mental illness. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depression or manic-depressive illness — manic behavior is one extreme of this disorder and depression is the other.\nBipolar disorder often begins in adolescence or early adulthood and may persist throughout life. The causes of bipolar disorder are elusive, and there's no cure.\nThe flares of bipolar disorder may last for weeks or months, causing great disturbances in the lives of those affected, their friends and their families. Left untreated, the condition usually worsens. But bipolar disorder can be managed with medications and other therapies.\n http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/bipolarmenu.cfm\n\nhttp://www.bipolar.com/\n\nMovies:\nhttp://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6954343252113642836&q=bipolar\nhttp://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3393798450583075723&q=bipolar
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My mother was bipolar and had to take Lithium all of her life.  This was something that she was born with and finally when she was in her early thirties she was diagnosed and received treatment.  She suffered a lot in her life, but once she got medication and therapy to understand her mental illness, she was more able to cope and be happier in her life.  It was 1972 when she started Lithium.  Today doctors know so much more about this illnes which stems from having a chemical inbalance.  I think it is a good thing that your son has been diagnosed now instead of years form now.  He will be in treatment and he will be helped.  Early intervention is on his side.  Be thankful that he is getting help now and hopefully will be avoiding years of unbearable pain.  Before my mother was diagnosed she tried multiple ties to commit suicide.  I am hopeful that your son won't go through that because he is getting help now!  He will learn with the help of therapy and faithfully taking his medications how to cope with this.  As far as you feeling guilty, this is a normal reaction considering he is your son, your flesh and blood.  But, the truth of the matter is that you are not to blame.  He was born with this.  It has to do with the makeup of the brain. You are being supportive and doing the right thing to let the professionals take over at this point.  Remember, you got him the help that he needs.  You love him and you'll be there for him.  I hope this helps you.  Hang in there, you sound like a good mom!
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Bipolar is a lifelong condition that affects people all over the world.  It tends to run in families.
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Here is a couple. Let me know if you need more \nLisa\n\nhttp://www.lifesatwitch.com/\n\nThrough personal and professional experience, Life's A Twitch! offers presentations, writings, research, songs, children’s resources, a Q/A forum, a chat room, and other sources of encouragement to those living with Tourette Syndrome from Dr. B. Duncan McKinlay\n\n\nhttp://mysonsean.homestead.com/\n\nWELCOME TO THE TICCER TAPE PARADE WHERE WE HAVE A PARADE OF LINKS TO LOTS OF PLACES RELATED TO TOURETTE SYNDROME. YOU WILL FIND MOTHER'S STORIES, MEDICAL AND DRUG INFORMATION, SUPPORT GROUPS, EMAIL GROUPS, ADVOCACY SITES,AND TIPS ON HOW TO LIVE WITH THIS DISORDER. PLEASE SIGN MY GUESTBOOK AND LEAVE ANY HELPFUL COPING MECHANISMS YOU MAY HAVE IN LIVING WITH TOURETTE SYNDROME \n\nalt.support.tourette - a newsgroup dedicated to discussions of Tourette Syndrome\n\nMAILING LIST - put "subscribe sunrise-tourette" (without the quotes) in the body and nothing else.\n\nUSA Tourette Assoc\nhttp://tsa-usa.org/
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I'm surprised that your doctor can't provide any answers. Is this a your primary care doctor or a psychiatrist? Your primary care doc may not have the best information, but if it's your psychiatrist, geez... \n\nGo back and get more specific. Ask for options or reading material. Do a Web search (www.webmd.com is a good place to start), and get your own information. Sometimes you have to take charge of your own care. \n\nYou also should ask the school about adaptive teaching for you. This is a disability and they can make accommodations. My son has ADHD and needs extra time to complete papers becuase he has trouble focusing. He also takes his exams with a headphone playing classical music. It helps keep him from getting distracted by other things in the classroom. \n\nGood luck, and I wish I could offer more insight. I know there are medications for this, but you already may be taking them. One key is to take them all the time. People with bi-polar disorder tend to drop the meds when they're in the "good mood" phase.
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http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=familydoctor&lic=44&article_set=22940\n\nTry this link, you may find it useful, I hope!
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The very first place I'd look (in the odd event that you didn't) is in the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition). In fact, that should pretty well do it. I would also be prone to look to check out some books specifically about the disorder for reference (a link with many is included in my sources).\n\nAs for magazine articles and things of that nature, I haven't really seen many reputable sources. I mean there may be a study in a Scientific American somewhere, but even that is fairly doubtful. It's just really not something to throw in a magazine (Mental Disorder Monthly would be kind of odd don't you think?)
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Sounds like depression with a bipolar disorder. Check with your local psychologist or psychiatrist. Hey, you really shouldn't ask people on here because it seems that most are infantile little children!
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changes in eating and sleeping habits (eating and sleeping too much or too little) \nsignificant weight gain or loss \nmissed school, poor school performance and/or a sudden decline in grades \nwithdrawal from friends and family \nno longer enjoying activities that were once pleasurable \nindecision, lack of concentration, or forgetfulness \nfeelings of worthlessness or guilt \noverreaction to criticism, irritability \nfeeling that nothing is worth the effort \nfrequent health complaints when no physical ailment exists \nanger, rage, anxiety \nlack of enthusiasm and motivation \ndrug/alcohol abuse, thoughts of death or suicide \nSymptoms such as insomnia, panic attacks, delusions or hallucinations can indicate extreme depression, \nThe first problem is to distinguish between a more serious depression and "normal," typical adolescent moodiness, caused by hormonal changes and brain growth spurts. For example, it is common for girls to become moody, edgy, and anxious just before and during menstruation, and maybe even longer, if she suffers from hormonal problems. If grouchy behavior seems to have a pattern or cycle, it is likely the symptoms are tied to hormonal changes, and are not indicative of clinical depression. In contrast, one hallmark of clinical depression is the tendency to become isolated—to stop talking to family, and to stop spending time with friends—and this kind of moodiness does not seem to lift after a couple of weeks. \n\nRushing to a therapist when symptoms are actually within the range of normal can have several negative effects:\n\nthe child feels like there must be something wrong with himself or herself, which can tip a fragile balance toward lowered self-esteem \nthere may be a long-lasting stigma attached to a diagnosis \nmedications may be prescribed unnecessarily, and without careful monitoring \nIf you suspect depression:\n\nRespond with love, kindness, and support. \nRepeatedly let your child know that you are there, whenever she or he needs you \nBe gentle but persistent if your adolescent shuts you out (depressed teenagers do not want to feel patronized or crowded). Do not ask a lot of questions, but make known your concern and your willingness to listen. \nDo not criticize or pass judgment once the adolescent begins to talk (the important thing is that he or she is talking and communicating feelings). \nEncourage activity and praise efforts to socialize and be active. \nSeek help from a doctor or mental health professional if the adolescent's depressed feeling doesn't pass with time. Be prepared to list behaviors, note how long and how often they have been occurring, and how severe they seem. \nDo not wait and hope that symptoms will go away on their own. When depression is severe—if adolescents are thinking about hurting themselves or about suicide—seek professional help as soon as possible. \nParents of depressed adolescents may themselves need support. Seek out groups of parents who have experience with teen depression. \nThe single most important thing a parent can do to break down the social isolation that is at the heart of adolescent problems is to LISTEN:\n\nlisten when your children talk \nlisten to their music \nspend more time with them and be involved in their activities \ntake them to movies and concerts, and discuss them afterward \nknow their friends, and listen to them as well \ndo not lecture or offer unsolicited advice or ultimatums \ndo not try to talk them out of their feelings or solve their problems, just acknowledge the pain and sadness they are feeling \ndo not compare your teen’s feelings, reactions or experiences to your own or to someone else’s \nA parent can—and should—express their concerns directly. It is not easy to connect with teens in this way, and parents may need professional guidance to assist them. Yes, it is likely that the teenager will get angry and will say harsh things ("It's none of your business!" "G