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Post by Amsmom on Mar 4, 2004 7:37:41 GMT -5
Yesterday my son's psychiatrist told me some very encouraging news about pediatric bipolar disorder. He said that it is possible for the disorder to resolve itself as the brain matures!!! I could not believe my ears! I had always feared that bipolar disorder was a "life sentence". There is no guarantee that maturation of the brain will resolve pediatric bipolar, but there is a chance!!!!! He said it is similar to pediatric seizure disorder resolving as the brain matures. That is some very exciting news and gives me hope. I want to pass that hope along to you all.  |
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Post by HooDunnit on Mar 4, 2004 13:15:55 GMT -5
Yes, that's great news Amsmom. With biological systems, you can never be 100% certain what will happen in the future. I know that years ago, doctors were hesitant to diagnose bipolar illness in children. In hindsight, it could be seen that adults with bipolor illness (then called "manic-depressive disorder") had traits of the illness when they were children. But in looking solely at the pediatric population, it was difficult to tell who would have bipolar disorder as adults, as some children with worrisome traits seemed to grow out of them. I understand that doctors are more confident now in diagnosing bipolar illness in children, but I would think that there is still the possibility that a child could outgrow whatever traits they had.
Barry
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Post by Honeysmom on Mar 4, 2004 13:17:39 GMT -5
That is great. Some don't beleive it, but pediatric seizure disorders do something go away. DD's did, she simply outgrew it.
This will give hope to lots of people...
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Post by HooDunnit on Mar 4, 2004 13:31:18 GMT -5
Yes, childhood epilepsy (especially if it is of unknown origin) often goes away. Hyperactivity often does too.
Barry
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Post by Linda on Mar 4, 2004 13:57:56 GMT -5
Amsmom...that is good news...and I am glad you are hopeful your son will outgrow it. Barry made an interesting point too...I think a lot of the hyperactivity goes away too.Paul will be 16 tomorrow and the only hyperactivity in him you will see is sometimes when he is sitting he is "jiggling his foot or leg".Beats the heck out of how he was when he was younger..yikes  |
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Post by ohmama on Mar 4, 2004 14:43:51 GMT -5
This is wonderful!! Did he say this would be possible since you are getting treatment? I mean, without treatment what are the chances?
I know when I talked to the doctor at the Amen Clinic he said something very encouraging too... that with treatment the condition will greatly improve and further damage will be prevented. So, it will not get worse or grow to full blown bipolar. But he said it all depends on getting the right treatment.
Is there anything we could find that would be supportive of this claim? I would love to read more on this subject.
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Post by HooDunnit on Mar 4, 2004 15:41:09 GMT -5
Yes, I also would like to know if there is some way to confirm that claim -- that bipolar illness is not as likely to progress if it is treated properly along the way.
Barry
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Post by Amsmom on Mar 4, 2004 19:37:57 GMT -5
I thought about asking for something to read on this subject after I left the dr's office. When I find out, I will certainly let you all know.
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Post by ohmama on Mar 4, 2004 21:40:56 GMT -5
Barry, Try this site for some "Images of Treatment" showing before and after brain scans. I don't think this is what Amsmom's doctor is talking about but I found it encouraging to actually see the brain condition in a before and after treatment condition. I don't think it would be possible to have improvement without some intervention or treatment though. www.brainplace.com/bp/atlas/ch16.asp |
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Post by bransmomma on Mar 5, 2004 17:38:59 GMT -5
Did you notice symptoms of bipolar in your child when he was younger? My almost 4 yr. old son is always upset and angry. I have been diagnosed w/ depression since I was 14 yrs. old so he may have gotten this from my genes. He likes be alone and not play w/ people at times and says he doesn't want friends or hugs from me. It worries me because he is only 3 and already so depressed and not happy the majority of the day. It is also hard to find a shrink to help us because he is so young.
Any suggestions?
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Post by Amsmom on Mar 5, 2004 21:17:48 GMT -5
Dear bransmomma,
I'm so sorry that you and your son are going through this. How difficult it must be for you. First let me say that your pediatrican should be able to refer you to a child psychiatrist or neurologist to get your little boy assessed.
My son was dx with adhd/odd (oppositional defiance disorder) at 3. He was not so much depressed, as he was extremely defiant, angry and aggressive. He was dx bipolar last year, but I was not surprised with the dx.
I, too, have had clinical depression since I was very young. The research I have read shows that having at least one parent with a mood disorder plays a role in the child having a mood disorder.
Do try to get a referral to a pediatric psychiatrist or neurologist. You will feel better when you get some answers as to why your poor little guy is going through this. Then you can also start on the road to treatment. Please let us know how you and your son are doing. I truly know how hard it is. One thing is for sure, your little boy is lucky to have you as his mom.
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lisle
Full Member
Posts: 142
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Post by lisle on Mar 6, 2004 0:45:02 GMT -5
Hi,
What the psychiatrist told me about not treating my son for "possible" bipolar is that studies of the brain have shown decreased volume if the child isn't treated. I believe only certain meds are protective though, lithium being one of them. I think the atypicals work too. I disagreeumption is that this research comes out of Biedermann's clinic at Harvard University. they have a big bipolar center there and diagnose a lot of kids. They also do a lot of imaging of the brain, functional mri, I think.
lisle
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Post by bransmomma on Mar 8, 2004 11:58:11 GMT -5
Amsmom- How old is your child now? I picked up some books over the weekend on ADHD and one called "the sad, lonely and angry child" to see if I could find out anything that would help my situation. After reading I think my son may have other issues aside from ADHD- maybe not bipolar but like you said ODD. I got told this weekend by my 3.5 yr old he wished I was buried in the ground, he hates me, etc. It was a very long and stressful weekend. I try to do fun things w/ him and make him happy but it doesn't last. I hate to think meds are the answer but I am scared I am going to lose my mind soon. Especially since he rarely is with his father and I'm with him everyday. I hope this gets easier as time goes on and not worse. Thank you for your advice.
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Post by Amsmom on Mar 8, 2004 19:06:52 GMT -5
Bransmomma,
My son is now 8. He is still a very difficult child , but in many ways, better than when he was 4 yrs ago. I am so sorry that your little guy says such hurtful things to you. I have experienced that also. My son doesn't see his "father" at all, so I know exactly what you mean about a long, stressful weekend. Everyone at my office says TGIF except me. I know the medication decision is a very hard one, I went through it myself, but I now know I made the right decision for him to be on meds. I am very lucky to have a pediatric psychiatrist that I trust implicitly. It is a decision that only you can make. Have you been able to call the pediatrician for a referral to a psychiatrist?
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lisle
Full Member
Posts: 142
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Post by lisle on Mar 25, 2004 10:35:43 GMT -5
Dear Bransmomma:
I know how it hurts to hear these things, but telling kids like your son it does can be a mistake. It's one that I made by following basically what the school was doing and what works with the average kid. I don't know how you are approaching this, but consider ignoring it and going on. It's not easy! He doesn't mean it and probably can't help saying it. Is it when he doesn't get his way?
lisle
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