Just wanted to introduce myself. I am 42 years old, married, with 4 children. Our oldest child, my stepson, is 14. He was diagnosed with early onset biopolar disorder (BP) during second grade. As he has progressed through school, it has been determined that he also has severe learning disabilities, as well as dyslexia. In addition, he is behind his peers in social interaction also; he would rather play with my 9 year old son than with boys his own age at times. Obviously, the deck is stacked against him.

We have also noticed through time that he has what appears to by Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). OMG is he forever arguing with my wife and picking battles with her (he will not argue much with me). As a side note...one of our psychologists told us that bipolar children quite often select one member of the family to torment and pick on, and quite often it is the parent of the opposite sex.

Anyway, as you can probably guess, our life can be quite full of anxiety at times. The incessant arguing and other bipolar type behaviors can seem so overwhelming at times. In addition, we struggle with getting him through school, as well as wondering what the heck is going to happen when he turns 18 and is still behind in education. How will he support himself; and how can we continue to support him, while desiring to also be able to give to our other kids as well.

The good news is that none of the other kids exhibit these symptoms and syndromes. The are all socially fine, are well within their age group in school, and show no bipolar traits at all. Plus, they are all so loving and fun to be around!

Okay, I already wrote too much and bored everyone. Sorry for the thesis. Anyway, we live in Austin, Texas, and I am looking forward to meeting other users on this board.

Regards.

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Great to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help. We are all here to assist each other as possible.

I have listed here some forums which could help you with your questions:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum80.html

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum38.html

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene

Hello BPF, and welcome to NeuroTalk! This is such a nice place with many warm, friendly, caring and helpful people.

We're so glad you found us!

I'm so sorry about your son. I wish you, him, and all the rest of your family my best.

You sound like a great dad. Would you adopt me?

Hi, you definately have your hands full. But I can tell you from first hand
experience that when he gets to the diploma, and achieves success in life
you will see how much it was worth the struggles.

I'm Donna, and I have a now 26 year old that had lots of issues as a child.
Still has issues as a yound adult. But thanks to much work, from both his
family and himself he made it.

He wasn't diagnosed with bipolar or anything as strong as this till 16.
And at that point it was Interrmittent Explosive Disorder that they gave
him the title of. The reason was simply that it would be another year
before this new psychiatrist, I believe probably about the 7th that had
seen him could put that title with him. But she said he definately had
this, and it could be treated with the same medications.

As it was he had already been diagnosed with learning disabiiities, reading
and math both. Oppositional diffientant disorer, conduct disorder and a couple others that we don't want any kid diagnosed with.

Anyway, I wanted to tell you that if at 18 he isn't done in school he has till he is 22 to finish his schooling. If he is identified with disabilities.
I'm a parent advocate in Indiana. And I help all parents that need the help.

Let me know if I can be of help.

Donna