My son might possibly have bipolar. His pychiatrist might put him on medication. ?

Question

Will he be able to function as a normal person?

I'm so worried that he will not make it in society.

He seems to be outsted by some of his friends recently.

Should I keep him away from kids now.

he is 14 and i feel he needs his friends even more.

Answer 1

I'm overly realistic, not just optimistic.

With medication he can function normally.  The key element is not to slow down or give in, but go ahead with post secondary education or a good permanent job.  No learning disability is ever associated with being bi-polar.

He must be calm and rational to make it in society,  hide the strange feelings or moments.  Supress hyperactivity, and ride out the low, low moods.  Try to be consistent.

Friends will turn away, and some will come to fill in.

Do not keep him away from his friends unless there is some threat or reason for concern, such as drugs or guns present, poor values or motivation re:  education.

Yes he needs friends even more.

Look up famous bipolar people;  probably Elvis Costello, maybe Bruce Springsteen, and Robin Williams, sp.?

So, educate yourself.  I don't think there is a cure, only suppression and coping.  Use it as an incentive.  Keep learning, add whatever positive support you can.  Continue with therapy and counseling.  Good luck.

Answer 2

Honestly I don't agree with doctors putting children on medication for bipolar or any other behavior reasons - I think in today's society that the doctors and or parents don't let children be children they think they should behave as if they were miniature adults and I hate seeing so many of our children today ( who will be our future adults ) taking so much medicine for basically being a child or teenager. I honestly believe this is the truth and that it is the way children are dealt with instead of them getting to grow up in a normal way I hate the very thought of losing another child to legal drugs that are no different then street drugs but for the exception they get them from the doctor instead of a dealer on the road side. I am very strongly against it and I would never take a child to a doctor or psychiatrist they are horribly creating children that are not themselves and in many cases not even human anymore they are more like a shell of the child they should have been just because they were being a child and not conducting themselves as the parent or doctors thought they should be and not all children are alike so there will be some more active and some more lazy but then is the adults the same way? I will never at this point let my grandchildren be turned into sobies of what they are and I will fight this until I die because it is wrong oh sure they make clinical names as bipolar and etc wonder what our anchestors would think about it all and I would how we all survived with out all the drugs they use on children today? I would never never let them take his life away and it will I would simply talk to the child and maybe a good counselor could help instead of the pychiatrist because they listen and yes they do get the children to talk and in many cases can help the child without drugs I did take my daughter to one and she still remembers it today and has always said that it did her more good than anything I could have done for her at the time.Good Luck I just hate losing another child to drugs and I hope you reconsider this and try another route I would make this my last choice if you want to keep you child because other wise you won't even know who he is and the medicine in many cases creats more problems.

Answer 3

medication will help control his highs and lows. being bi-polar it is hard to maintain friendships.others dont know what your going through and cant identify with you. Its good to have frinds if you can for there support but I found that my family was my best support. Go to all the meetings they have to teach you about bi-polar so you can understand your son better. youll be the best friend he will have