- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- preschoolers today articles
- preschoolers today q&a
- children today articles
- children today q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
The Bipolar Child
Early Onset Bipolar Disorder By Gwen Morrison
Kruger's son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder while in the hospital. He has tried different medication combinations very common with bipolar disorder and is now stable on his current medication. Kruger has some tips for parents: "Listen and negotiate with your child. Tell him the rules in advance and the consequences for breaking them. Use tons of encouragement for everything he does well, and talk to him a lot. It helps to have someone that you can talk to, like a psychologist, to get tips for handling a bipolar child."
Leanne Rondeau of Athol, Mass., is living through what a lot of parents who are dealing with a bipolar child can relate to. "Before Thomas was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, at the age of 8, he was totally out of control," she says. "He was explosive, angry, aggressive and had temper tantrums." It can be a roller coaster ride for the entire family. Currently Thomas is on several different medications and has found that the period between manic episodes has gotten longer. She has learned to not sweat the small stuff with his behaviors, but to instead concentrate on the unsafe behaviors and activities.
Thomas is on mood stabilizers, which alleviate the symptoms of an episode and can decrease the intensity of future episodes. There are a large number of medications in use to treat this disorder, but they have to be very closely monitored by a clinical physician. "He is currently taking four different medications right now," Rondeau says. "Although he is stable for longer periods of time, he is going through puberty and I feel like his meds are not working as well."
Remember that as parents of a child diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you are not alone. There are a wide variety of resources available to families, online and within your community. The child also needs to know there is help available; encourage him to talk to someone who is not within the family. It can be great for these kids to have a mentor.
"There are excellent online support groups for parents of children challenged by bipolar disorder," Lynn says. "NAMI is taking the lead in setting up parent support groups in many parts of the country." You can access the support groups at the Child Spirit Web site.