"Mom Looking for Others with Bi Polar Children"

I know I'm going to get shot down on this, but I have a suggestion that may help dramatically if you have the tenacity to try it- and it's not easy, but it's made every difference in the lives of a lot of people and is gaining attention as an option for people with these imbalances: kick glutens out of your diet.
There's an ever-growing body of evidence that glutens (the spongy starches in various grains) react poorly with some people's chemistry, and a paper by a Harvard prof. (and mom) describes the finding that in those who react poorly the glutens act as opioids, short-circuiting the neurotransmitter actions and causing autistic, bi-polar, ADHD, depressive, etc. reactions. Ever notice how these things seem to be grouped together in lots of folks, not just one of the diagnoses, but often a pair or more? My family: one sister ADHD, bi-polar, another sister ADHD, borderline personality disorder, bi-polar, the third is bi-polar, ADHD, borderline, and has a bi-polar, ADHD, depressed 10 year-old, and I'm lucky enough to be ADD, bi-polar, and my kids are *just* ADHD.
So- here's the scoop: look up the paper by the Harvard mom, look up 'gluten-free,' and look through the forums you'll find on how it affect folks, and how to go about it. We eliminated it from our diets and I am free of symptoms and all meds for the first time ever- going on a year! My girls are on next to nothing for meds, and the one sister who would give it a chance is also med-free. It means everything to us, even if we can't order a pizza, eat pasta in a restaurant, etc. We get doughnuts, pizza, etc, at the Merc and Hy-Vee, and we like them just fine!!
Best of luck, and email me for more info!

I am the mother of an 11 yr. old boy who is ADHD and bi-polar. I also have a 3 1/2 yr. old girl who I believe is bi-polar, but she hasn't been officially diagnosed. My 8 yr. old boy doesn't seem to have any of those problems.

Medication has worked well with my 11 yr. old. However, as he grows it has to be adjusted. If you haven't already I would find a good child psychiatrist who has experience treating bi-polar children. I too, would recommend the book, "The Bi-Polar Child".

One thing that has helped me to deal with my son is to keep remembering that the "episode" will pass and it's not my son's fault. When I am able to keep myself together, I believe it helps my son get over his "episode" sooner.

Please feel free to message me if you ever need to talk. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I dont have bi polar children but my mother and my sister are bi polar. I have lots of experience with the various problems that can come with this. i'll help you in any way I can.
the most important thing you can do for your kids now that they are teens is make sure neither of them starts using drugs or drinking to 'medicate' themselves. it is a common thing for bi polar teens to do. I know this because my sister has finaly beaten her drug habbit after 15 years.
you also might want to make sure you son has some type of excercise actiivity to vent his negative energy. maybe running or a team sport in which you or another adult he can relate to are involved in.

I would assume that you have him in therapy?!?!

I have a freind whos daughter she was told is Bi Polar and now her son too.. they are both on meds and all 3 kids are in therapy and the other daughter is on meds for adhd....

At one time they had to call the cops on the one daughter she was only like 9 at the time.. so she is much younger than your kids...

The therapy helps they to learn to cope with how they feel and how to deal with the way they feel how to control the anger.. so they dont HOLD it all in...

Dont know where you live If in Bloomington or not Shoot me a message if you are and I can give you a name of a guy that is great with teens and I am sure your son would hit it off with!!! Good luck!!

A., I feel for you. My mother has suffered from bipolar syndrom for many years and I understand how frustrating it can be. My only advice is to read as much literature as you can. The right regiment of meds can be life changing. Seek opinions of more than one doctor. My mom takes topamax now but spent years on meds that were all wrong for her.
Good luck and God Bless

A. C.

I have 2 with Bi-Polar.My youngest daughter is the worst and I have her om Abilify which seems to work well for her...There is also Geodon out there you can try.It's not easy to deal with this.Also to let you know that winter months are the worst.I go through Burrell Center for her Psycharist to get help with her.But each parent must make up there on mind on medicines and I did when my daughter was so intent on killing herself and running away.This helped out so much.I hope this is help..B.

hi A.,

both my 12 year old son and i have bipolar we are from yukon 10 miles west of okc message me i can get you some resources or just message me about questions about bipolar in the mean time one of the best books i ever read on childhood bipolar is "The Bipolar Child" it is in most libraries and in most book stores I cant remember how to spell the last names but the book is by demetri papalos? i think but that is close look on amazon.com hard cover was 26 dollars i think but was worth every penny cant seem to find my copy also look at www.ok.nami.org they have many resources and cover all of oklahoma also there is a systems of care site in many areas in oklahoma ask the school to refer you to them they help lots if ya need anyone just message me

S.

HI,

Are you sure he doesn't have Asperger's syndrome? ADHD and Oppositional defiant disorder = Asperger's syndrome. I went through this with my son, who is now 20 years old. I went through so many of these diagnosis finally learned he had asperger's.

A.