Bipolar in adolescents

are you the man or woman in the picture? How horrible.....I am sure your family has been thru the ringer; it's bad enough having one child like this. Were you ever in a Residential Treatment Facility, and if so, did it help at all? Are you on any medications still? He was on lithium for @ 6 months, and has been taken off of it now. To me, he is the same with or without the meds. I believe he inherited this from his father, who definately had a problem but has never been diagnosed. He too never thought he had a problem, yet it caused him to abuse me and us to divorce. At what point did you "wake up" and admit you had this problem? He is also homicidal......

Do you know anything about the effects of lithium on children? My son was on it, for 7 months, during the time he was in theraputic foster care, and as soon I admitted him into the RTF, the doctor there took him off of it. I did not agree with this; he was put on it for a reason by his previous doctors. He tried to tell me about the "possible " detrimental side effects, etc, about it not being safe for children, etc....but only works for adults. Unfortunately, my son has now found a way to blame his behaviors on the medication; which is not the case, and I am afraid he has these people eating out of the palm of his hand! Unfortunately, it has been such a hard road to get him into the Residential program he is in now, I have to let it take its course before I try to get him transferred elsewhere. Do you have any resentment towards your parents for putting you in foster care/ psychiatric and residental treatment away from your family? He blames me for everything and hates me for it; and unfortunately, I hate him for doing what he has done to our family. He is very smart, and can control alot of the things he does. It's not like he can't. He knows exactly what he is doing, but will not admit he has a problem.

First and fore most, I want to say that you are a good person! Most parents don't try to understand Bipolar Disorder or even see what kind of help is out there! I wasn't put in foster care for reasons of Bipolar, my little sister(who was 4yrsold) was murdered by her father. So, they took us kids. I did have alot of anger for my Mother until just recently ( and I am gonna be 29 next month), but I have come to realize, that if things hadn't happend the way they did, I would still be "messed" up today! So, now I really don't have anger...I am at piece with my mother and we talk everyday on the phone and have a somewhat "normal" relationship! So, I feel that right now, your son will have alot of anger and say horrible things! Give him time, once he doesn't feel so "sick" and can think clearly, he will come around. Please, don't take everything he says to heart, I know it's easier said than done. But, you need to realize that his actions and what not, are very normal to him! He does NOT understand that this isn't the way he should feel or act! Remember, to him this is very "normal". To you and most anybody else, you can see its not! Just be patient and love your son! I promise, it will pay off! If you don't mind, where is your son's facility located? Just wanted to know what area you guys are from? Now, for the hard part....Lithium and side effects for adolescents! I will tell you the truth, I don't have all the answers for you on this subject, right now....I am doing some research for you! So, don't worry, it may take me a couple of hours...but I will have answers for you! I am here to help you with this problem! I won't leave you stranded with no answers and will be here for and with you til everything gets under control! One of my dedications in the memory of my sister, is to help any child that I can! O, just so you know! I had custody of my 13 yr old brother and he also had these issues! So, I do have some experience with this subject! So, be patient with me and I will get some answers about the medication for you!