Children or adults with BiPolar2

If your child has been diagnosed with yet another issue, which sounds like its actually the normal ups and downs that people cycle through, then you need to look at his FIRST diagnosis. The autism will create drama with normal mood fluctuations. Think about it. If you are trying to function with mulitple hurdles at every step, your moods are going to be pretty dramatic, but not unexpected, and not something that warrants another diagnosis. If your son doesn't have an upward swini his moods that goes into mania, then there is no "bi" polar...he is depressed. When his mood lightens then it seems as if it's "swinging"...but it is actually his relief at not feeling depressed. He will have more energy, might be hard to control...sort of like normal but relatively undisciplined kids. I would question that diagnosis and probably not encourage any more testing until the first basic issue of autism is dealt with. One of the hallmarks of autism is obsession and compulsion. It needn't be listed as a separate disorder, its covered by the first diagonosis. His anxiety may not be a disorder if it is associated with his autism. Any change that occurs around the autistic, creates anxiety in them and they will act out to avoid that anxiety. It is part of the condition, not a separate diagnosis. I work with special needs kids on a regular basis and have seen IEP's where people layer the problems because teachers were looking for a reason to NOT provide for the students needs, and doctors felt they should place their opinion on the file to show that they are justified in charging the insurance company for the consultation. If you focus on that original diagnosis, then the other issues can be taken care of under its umbrella.

Hi blueskies! I was diagnosed with BPII (Bipolar Type 2) in March of 01'. Although there is BP in our family, no one had been diagnosed with type II, and we didn't know it existed. Before I received the diagnosis, I had much longer and 'deeper' bouts of depression than I did hypomania. That is the key to BPII, depression. Type 1's can go into either depression or full blown mania equally as easy. I'm gonna tell you a few things about it first, and how I've dealt with it. BPII focuses on depression like I said. The bouts will last much longer than a hypomania, and will be very 'black' compared to someone with chronic depression. There were times that I slept 23 hours per day for a couple of weeks at a time because I had no energy, and my body hurt so bad. I very literally couldn't move. The hour that I was awake, I stayed in bed and watched t.v. or got online for a little bit. I'm not sure the severity of autism that your son has, but I do know several people with it ranging from severe, to Aspergers, so some can read and some can't. If your son can read, and write, during a depression or hypomania, your son will NOT be able to concentrate. When I try to explain it to people they look at me like I'm nuts, but during those times, I cannot read or write. It's not that I don't know how to, but I just literally can't. I can't focus at all on anything and if I try to read, I get through one page which I have to reread 20 times. When I go back to the book when I'm feeling better, I forget what I've read anyway. Along with the lack of focus, you'll notice that he has trouble thinking and forming full thoughts. He may start a conversation with you and in the middle of it forget what you guys were talking about or what he was going to say. For hypomania..it's not as fun as the doctors and scientists make it sound. When I'm hypomanic I'm highly irritable, aggressive, and everything agitates me. Again, I can't focus on anything because my mind is racing and I think of a million things to do. I've always been a very creative person and what I love about the hypomania is that I get flooded with creative ideas. The problem with this is that I can't focus on one project to take on, and when the hypomania ends I go straight into a deep depression so anything that was a truly good idea doesn't get done. Unlike a full manic episode, I do sleep, but very few hours in a night. The ONLY reason I love the hypomania is because I have energy and when you have no energy more often than not, it's a welcome change. As for your son having several disorders, this is quite normal. I was diagnosed with BPII and another disorder, and that's called dual diagnosis. I'm not sure what it is for 3. It actually occurs about 95% of the time in anyone with BP and other mental illnesses. I know this post has been long, so I won't take up any more time or space. If you'd like, please send me a private message, or I can give you my e-mail address. I can definately give you some suggestions on doctors, medications, etc. Good luck with everything, and if I don't hear from you remember that your health is as important as his so be good to yourself too!

There is an excellent book called the BiPolar Child by Papolos. If they have it at your local library it is very resourceful book about Childhood Onset Bipolar. They also have a website CABF, www.bpkids.org Being a parent of both a child with Autism and one with SAD..a form of BP, it has been one of the best sites I have ever found. Any questions you have can be answered here. My one child was diagnosed just as your son was, anxiety, OCD, mood disorder, ADHD, PDD-NOS etc, but as she grew older whe did get a definitive diagnosis of Autism. The older she got the more obvious it became. No mood disorder, no OCD, but anxiety, Sensory Disfunction and other developmental delays. In children it is vary hard to get a clear picture. Keep learning as much as you can...you are his expert.

both my wife and eldest daughter have been diagnosed as having pi polar disorder, the once called manic depression. I often feel we spend too much time focusing on the negative elements of this disorder and ignore the positive boost that someone suffering from this disorder has. Some of the greatest, most innivotive individuals we have ever produced have suffered with it, i say go seek out the great blessing the conditions bring rather focus on the down periods good luck and blessed be

My Brother In Law is bipolar but I was totally unaware that there was more than one kind. I know my Brother In law has cycles of being up but when he has the down cycles, he is really down. He has tried to kill himself many times. It is hard to know what to do to help him. He seems to have to come out of it himself. All we can do is listen to him when he is in one of the "down" times. Good luck with your son. It is so difficult with children. My Nephew is also bipolar

I have not had any directly interaction with someone with bipolar/manic deprssive behavior. I also feel that I am going ot be blasted with negative responses because of my response. Let me first say, I am a wellness company advocate and what I have been told (and have not found proof to dispute) is something along the following: Chemicals which have been used in our everyday actions for MANY years has finally caught up with us. Almost everything we use thoughout the day - from shampoo, soap and toothpaste in the morning to the fabric softener in our sheets when we lay down on to sleep - has some CHEMICAL additive that is harmful to us. We have ingested these chemicals into our system - orally or through our skin - and have passed these genetic disorders onto our descendants. Have you notice how common ADD and ADHA are? Almost 7 in 10 families has this "problem" comparedto maybe 2 in 10 about 15 years ago. Why are things like this on the rise? I do not mean to belittle this affliction, and I apologize if I seem that way. What I don't understand is why do we constanly try to battle the "symptoms" and not try to stop the problem? I do wish you and your family the best. I know this cannot be an easy thing to deal with.

I have a friend with 2 autistic children blueskies . she has a website especially for parents and children with this condition . It covers all spectrums . I have only been on this site for a week writing though been a memeber for months so im not sure about posting a link . If I write to you as my friend ( you were kind enough to ask ) can I put the link on for you? . here is no obligation and no fee. but you will be very pleased with what you read I promise you . It has been a life saver for many of us . My son has Cerebral Palsy and I am a member of the site too. xx

I never heard to this type of Bipolar either. My 17 year old daughter was diagnosed with Bipolar a few years back. She is currently on medication and is trying to live a normal life. We go to counseling once a week.

I have never heard of bipoar2. What is the difference between this and regular bipolar? If you don't mind me asking.

Thanks for the enlightenment.

My Brother In Law is bipolar but I was totally unaware that there was more than one kind. I know my Brother In law has cycles of being up but when he has the down cycles, he is really down. He has tried to kill himself many times. It is hard to know what to do to help him. He seems to have to come out of it himself. All we can do is listen to him when he is in one of the "down" times. Good luck with your son. It is so difficult with children. My Nephew is also bipolar

take care of your child dear..its very sad to hear such things......

My friend was diagnosed with bi-polar about 10 yrs ago before that she was told she suffered with depression. I remember my friend was very upset with this outcome, she seemed to like to be told she suffered with depression. I was wondering how severe your son is, I know my friend is not able to hold a job. There are some great sites you can read up about bi-polar Im not actually sure if I am allowed to leave links to site. This is my first day with Mylot

I agree with what someone else posted, that OCD and anxiety diagnoses seem unneccessary since the symptoms of both disorders are encompassed in the Autism diagnosis. I don't think that the symptoms of Bipolar2, as you explain it, are encompassed by the Autism diagnosis. Certainly a period of hypomania is not characteristic of Autism. Sounds like mayeb this diagnosis is right - though I know it's hard to get the multiple diagnoses. My son, who is Autistic, has written output disorder and anxiety - but the doctor said he isn't going to add those into the diagnosis because they are already encapsuled in the Autism diagnosis. I wonder if you could ask your doc about not needing the OCD diagnosis? Might make you feel a bit better to have one less.

my husband is bipolar but they didnt tell us about any 1 or 2 i think i need to do more research. my husband has manic depression and anger control problems. i sorry i cant help any but thanks for helping me find out there is more thsn one kind. good luck with your baby(son)

i am sosorry. i do not know what to say. i have no experience with this. i hope everything will be fine.

Yes I know a lot of bipolar, as I was a sufferer for many years, but mine was only low and now I do not have it any more at least for 5 years going on 6 but I do have other friends that suffer from bipolar, as long as your son is treated corrctly and takes his tablets when he is having these positive feelings as they are called up and you can get into a lot of a mess with them but only take the tablets when he is having these other wise you will find that he will be stuck on these medications for life if you would like to contact me privately please feel free to go to my profile so that I maybe able to help you more in regards to bipolar.

BiPolarness runs in my family I have never heard of BiPolar2. I'm going to be bring this to my family attention so they can have themselves or children checked for this. I'm glad you gave me some information on the symptoms so I can share it with others. Thanks for sharing the valuable information. :)

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your son. My grown daughter has bipolar 1. It's a rough ride, I know. One day at a time. Blessings to you!

I have Bipolar ll. It's not always easy to live this life. It's a constand battle with thoughts of sucide and self harming. With the up periods that are called manics can be even more dangerous. I also have a child that has Autism, Anixty, and at this point Mood disorder. It's a tough ride with her as well.