Kids will cycle like 100+ times in a day. It took us a long time to figure out that my son wasn't just explosively angry all the time because it felt that way. Once we started him on the zyprexa at 6 he was finally able to sleep, and we were finally able to see the different moods he would experience instead of just this fireball of anger all the time.

have you joined the message boards at bpkids.org? They really gave me a lot of information when we first started this journey. And never be afraid to ask for more clarification from the doctors. If something isn't working, tell them that! And if you just don't understand the situation all that well, don't leave the office or hang up the phone until you have gotten all your answers.

Keep a notebook with you. Write down any observations and/or questions that come up. Then take the notebook to the doctor and go over everything in it. Ask those same questions on the message boards. See if there are parental support groups in your area and go! (I could also look up the groups in your area if you would like me to. We have a database at work.)

Its overwhelming and lonely. Ive been there. Things will eventually improve. You do need a support team though. I really hope you could find some groups or org's to attend. It makes a world of difference. (alot of the time they have respite care providers doing daycare during the meetings as well.)

I will have to look into the local support groups thanks. If I don't have any luck I will get back to you. Its just so hard to believe. They say he has this this and this and then you read he has something else too. Its hard to swallow and believe that all this could be going on with a little child. Its know wonder my husband doesn't except it since he hasn't been going to the apts. with us. chreey

Well heres the update. Anthony does not have the intermitted explosive disorder. The reason it was on the intake papers is because she originally when he first came in thought that was what it was. But she ruled it out already. So I guess we are just dealing with a lot of the violent issues from the bipolar because of the irritability. She changed his meds to abilify because he was having hand tremors on the risperidol. We are going to try him at an equal dose of the .5mg of risperidol and see if the knew meds help if not we will be upping it in two weeks. She is also going to be talking to the councler because I told her I didn't think that the councler had a clue. chreey

Hi,
This sounds like progress -- you got clarification on the diagnoses and you got a med change with a contingency plan
And good for you for asking the pdoc to talk to the counselor.

Mari

Well yesterday was an ok day until he found out he couldn't stay at grandmas he threw a fit screaming and throwing things and proceded to kick my van door. Neighbors witnessed this and told me today he would have been going home with a black and blue butt. I just told them Anthony doesn't care about spankings been there tried that. He has high tolerence for pain. Thursday was a high day friday kinda even until 6pm today he is still kinda irritable back talking. I just don't know what disciplinem to do with him. Is there some special guidlines? Because the corner doesn't work and putting him in his room doesn't work it leads to a rage pretty much anything does. And when it comes down to a reward chart thats a joke. Just telling him how proud I am and stuff when he is good it seems like he purposely tries to be bad. Even when I tell docs hes been doing better he turns around and seems like purposley acts worse. I just don't know what to do about the psycotherapy part. And yesterday he seen councler and she agrees there has been no improvement that we need to see someone else who might have some other ideas and approach things in a different way. So he is going to see the psycologist instead of the social worker. Which I would have preffered all around. chreey

Chreey

You are handling things perfectly, just by not giving in to him. THe neighbor
has never had to handle a child or anyone else with a problem. And I hate
to tell them, but if they had done the black and blue thing they would probably have gotten child protective called on them now days.

I believe that you are handling things the best each time you can. And
I think if he has done good, and it makes it worse then just say things
have been okay. If not then say its been bad. Till he seems to want
to be given the good words.

Don't worry about what works for others.

I believe you know your child.

Donna

Something I did when my son was younger and acting exactly the way you describe (usually in the dead center of walmart or something) was to print up business cards.

"If you are reading this card you have expressed concern or opinion reguarding my son. My son has a condition called Early Onset Bipolar Disorder. Please refrain from offering advice and/or comments as they set back the behavior plan put in place by his medical staff. If you are interested in learning more about this disorder please visit bpkids.org. Thank you for your understanding."

Sounds corny but it really works. I wouldnt even say a word. When some onlooker would say something like you describe I would simply hand them a card and continue on with what I was trying to do. they would usually roll their eyes and slink off, a few would appologise and smile at me, and I can only remember 3 times that anyone continued to offer comments after I gave it to them, and I have passed out HUNDREDS

Something to keep in mind with the "beat his butt" comments is "You don't beat a seizure out of a child with epilipsy, and you don't beat the bipolar out of a cycling child." With age, proper medication, and more patience than most people will ever have to muster up, it does get better. You have to remember that proper medication is the only way he can improve. If he isn't medicated the right way the dots are not going to add up for him and he will not be able to feel empathy or remorse OR be able to learn to feel those things. But he will get there.

I feel so bad for you. I remember feeling as helpless and dejected as you are right now. It was hell, and no one can understand the endless day and night war that goes on in your house. I also remember what it was like hating myself because sometimes it was hard to even feel love and compassion for my child who could not help how he was acting.

It does get better. You just have to hang in long enough to find the right medications and doses. (Zyprexa was the only drug that ever worked for my son)