Could medicine be helpful for her?

Question

My daughter is 8 yrs old. She is the best student anyone could ask for and has never had a problem at school. She gets along with all her peers. I am a single mother and have been for the past three years. After her dad split in 2004...I placed her in counseling because her behavior became worse as expected. But I just thought this was anxiety due to the fact that her daddy was an idiot. When we went to counseling they performed further testing and dx'ed her with bipolar disorder. Her father was bipolar and never took medication which in turn has ruined his life. When the therapist told me that I did not want to believe it and jerked her out of counseling. Her behavior has gotten worse and I need to make a change. On her good days she is the best kid anyone could ask for. But on her bad she is uncontrollable and crys for hours. I dont want her on meds that make her like a piece of cardboard but I cant handle this. Any suggestions would be appreciated. What meds for kids with this?

Answer 1

if your child was a diabetic would you not allow meds? Well this is the same thing. It is a chemial imbalance in the brain. She would not like being so out of control. It may take a few changes in meds to find the one that works for her but it will be worth it

Answer 2

Her level of functioning is adversely affected by the mood disorder.  Get a second opinion and start some meds.  A parent with Bipolar has a 50% chance of having a bipolar child.  Chances are she is bipolar.  Bipolar is a mood disorder it is not a horrible label to avoid at all costs.  Meds typical for bipolar usually they start with lamictal.  Sometimes this is used in conjunction with Depakote for more moderate to severe cases.  If she is anxious 0.25 mg of xanex is used.  If focus and concentration are an issue Risperdal works wonders.  Meds should always be titrated up so a low dose is begun and is increased until the lowest possible dose is found that is effective in controlling the symptoms.  What should be avoided is an anti-depressant it will only make a bipolar person manic.  Frequently bipolars reach out for help in a depressed state and are prescribed the wrong med (anti-depressant) which makes things worse.  Bipolars like the feeling of mania and don't perceive it as a problem.

Answer 3

continue the counseling and spend more time with her.  don't put a label on her and hold her to the expectations you had for her father -she is an individual.  slow your life down and listen to her when she talks with you.  take her to the pediatrician for a medical evaluation.

Answer 4

continue taking her to a counselor, and have a meeting with your pediatrician to see what he/she thinks about medicating her.

Answer 5

I'd take her for a second opinion.  If she does indeed have bipolar disorder and the doctors agree she should be on medicine than yes she should be on medication!  That is a real disorder and withholding treatment is wrong and unfair.  It can do wonders for a child.  Continue with counseling/therapy as well.