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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by grapebubblegum on June 25, 2001, at 9:23:36
I embedded this question deep within a thread so I'll post the question again here as a topic starter:
I'm reading a book called "The Bipolar Child," by Papolos and Papolos. Ok, ok, I'm really ABOUT to read it. I have more interests than I have time to pursue each interest.
Does anyone have anything positive or negative to say about this book?
I have all but finished "Running on Ritalin: A Physician's Perspective on Children, Society and Performance in a Pill," by Lawrence H. Diller, M.D. I chose the book because after perusing it in the bookstore, it appeared not to take an extremist stance in either direction regarding pharmaceutical treatment of children with ADD/ADHD. I found it to be a very thought-provoking and informative book. Does anyone, Dr. Bob maybe or anyone at all, have any familiarity with either of these books?
The first book seems to promote an organization called "CABF" (Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation) and I am interested in eventually finding a real-life support group for people whose children are challenged with the same sort of condition my child has. I hate to put labels on children, actually, but in the interest of improving their quality of life I am ok with it. I would like any input anyone has on whether this group is on the up-and-up or whether it might be a group with ulterior motives... sounds paranoid, but I'm just keeping my antennae up and hoping someone here can fill me in.
Also, to anyone familiar with the organization or book: any comments would be welcomed.
Posted by Sulpicia on June 25, 2001, at 14:09:08
In reply to The Bipolar Child, posted by grapebubblegum on June 25, 2001, at 9:23:36
> http://www.angelfire.com/wa/support/bipolar.html
http://www.mhsource.com/bpThese are 2 of my favorite sites. The first is run by
a mom who is an advocate and educator and the second
has good info also.
If you email the mom at the first site she'll send you
names and phone numbers of parents near you -- as I recall
some support groups are up and running and others are still
forming.
NAMI also can give you info on support groups for parents. If
you don't see the link you need, email the help link.I'm afraid I've not read either of the books you mention. I have
ADD myself and my daughter has bipolar II and ADHD -- I take it your
child copes with these 2 as well?I've visited the CABF forums and found the level of education
to be rather low -- but aside from that I have no idea about the
organization. Tho I share your skeptism about nearly everything --
TONS of sites about these 2 disorders just what to preach or disseminate
wierd stuff or lies.I very much like the bipolar forum at the Neurology Webforums at MGH.
How is child your child doing?
S.
Posted by grapebubblegum on June 25, 2001, at 19:33:03
In reply to Re: The Bipolar Child, posted by Sulpicia on June 25, 2001, at 14:09:08
Well, thank you for asking, Sulpicia. I gave an update on my son in the thread, "zyprexa and children" two days ago, so please save my fingers some typing if you are really interested to hear a little about him and go read that thread. ;o)
He is only 5 1/2 and has not started school yet but will start first grade in September. He did not attend kindergarten at all (long story having to do with different entry age requirements in different states) so I do not yet know whether I will be asked to have him examined in regards to ADHD. The consensus among his pediatricians is to try not to make such a diagnosis until it is absolutely necessary (usually meaning when the child enters school or until Mom can no longer cope, whichever comes first.) I got the impression from two pediatricians and one child psychiatrist and the L.C.S.W. who works with that pdoc that I will be receiving a phone call or note home the very first day of school. The joke is that I answered a survey saying that he seems no more or less active than any other child and then when he came into the room he NEVER STOPPED MOVING and my only explanation was that I am with him all day; I have three small children, so I just tune out the excessive activity and don't notice it. I take all of this with a grain of salt and a bigger grain of humor, and I go into everything with an open mind. Perhaps he will settle into school calmly... my prediction if I had to make one is that he will be so awed by the first day or two of school that he will comply with all regulations but then when the initial thrill wears off, he will be a handful and a half.
Interestingly, my son has an obvious desire to be affiliated with men whenever possible (another long story not worth going into here revolving around a sub-optimal male role model in his life but that is changing for the better) and he pointed at the online lineup of first grade teachers at his new school and said, "I want THAT one," pointing to the only male teacher. His pdoc's take is that he is probably only trying to make a strong male identity at this point and I need not worry that he is a budding misogynist or anything. And his stepfather's take on it is that my son would be a holy terror for a female teacher but might toe the line for a man. The pdoc says perhaps my son is actually asking for a stronger hand to control him, knowing on some level that he needs it. Maybe that is more than you asked to know, but there you have it.
I hope I will not be asked to make decisions regarding stimulants if the ADHD issue should come up. Of course, no one wants to give any meds to their children, so it is only natural that I feel that way. Who knows what the future holds, though. If you do give your child stimulants you might not like the "Running on Ritalin" book. Like I said, the author does not have an extreme viewpoint; he prescribes stimulants for his patients but the tone of the book is definitely on the side of feeling that in general these conditions are overdiagnosed and that stimulants are over-prescribed in this country at this time.
I'll check out the sources you listed; thanks.
Posted by Sulpicia on June 26, 2001, at 21:38:02
In reply to Re: The Bipolar Child, posted by grapebubblegum on June 25, 2001, at 19:33:03
>I really *like* your attitude and the advice you've been given so far.
A huge part of any diagnosis is impairment, which isn't there in your son's
situation. I hope things work out for him in school.
Some suggestions, take or trash as you see fit:
be rigid about preventing/addressing behaviors that teachers hate, especially
hitting. This will help him keep a low profile, so to speak.
make sure he gets enough sleep -- lack of it makes every child behave worse.
make sure he eats a good breakfast before school and has a lunch that he likes --
hunger/low blood sugar makes for bad behavior.
if the school starts in on you for testing or evaluation, you have the option of not
doing it, or using private clinicians. If you refuse any sort of evaluation, you'll likely
get into a loosing battle with the school, which will ultimately be bad for your son.
If you use the clinicians who already have a relationship with your son, you can probably
get some breathing room by having the pdoc write a letter saying something like a differential
diagnosis in a small child is complex and he should be observed at length -- it's good medical
practice and can conceivably buy you 6 months at least.
I agree that you probably want to avoid diagnosis/classification/labeling for as long as
possible unless you are in an extremely wealthy school district where they have good resources
to help the kids they identify as needing help.
Nobody can make you give your child stimulants. They are not always indicated in every diagnosis of
ADHD; if the differential dx has bipolar in the picture, stimulants may never be in your future, tho
some kids w/ADHD and BP can use them after mood stabilization is achieved.
If he is diagnosed with ADHD, avoid the unproven alt. med treatments. All are hazardous to your wallet
some can actually harm children, but the lack of effectiveness undermines the child's [or adult's!] self-
esteem, and when this drops, trouble follows. I have files on this subject, and research references to
a few that aren't harmful and show some efficacy for certain kids, if you ever get to that point. Just ask.
You are also under NO obligations to share your suspicions or any medical info about your son with the
school -- at this point I wouldn't either.
If he isn't learning to read, get a tutor from outside the school. Try your local child study center for
a referral and expect to pay ca. $50 per hour near major cities.
If he can't read by the end of the year, have him tested for learning disabilities -- they are often comorbid
with ADHD or bipolar. They can also *look* like ADHD.
Be alert to signs that school is too much for him, like headaches, tummy aches, and not being able to get up in
the AM -- these are probably signs that you have to act to change his situation.
Investigate any and all private schools w/in 1 hour of your home; don't be dissuaded by price because at least 40%
of the students at any given private school receive financial aid.
Just learn what your options are in case the public school system doesn't work out.
And realize that both ADHD and bipolar disorders are highly treatable. They can be scary at times and unpredictable
and maddening but they are not predictors of doom.
My daughter has both and is doing extremely well after a hiddeous onset last summer.
I cope with ADD, mild dyslexia, and depression -- I'll finish my doctorate this coming spring at an Ivy university.I wish more moms had your attitude, poise, balance, and common sense.
S.
ps: what from I've read, the greatest single predictor of ADHD or bipolar is
family history, and more strongly for bipolar that ADHD.
Posted by grapebubblegum on June 27, 2001, at 9:42:06
In reply to Re: The Bipolar Child, posted by Sulpicia on June 26, 2001, at 21:38:02
It sounds like it will be really helpful to me; a lot of this stuff I did not know and I do appreciate your "showing me the ropes." I'll comment on only a few of the items:
> make sure he gets enough sleep -- lack of it makes every child behave worse.
> make sure he eats a good breakfast before school and has a lunch that he likes --
> hunger/low blood sugar makes for bad behavior.Yes, I have three kids and I figured this out on my own. ;o) But you're right, it is even more obvious in a child with marked mood and behavior problems.
> If he is diagnosed with ADHD, avoid the unproven alt. med treatments. All are hazardous to your wallet
> some can actually harm children,Yes, I'm already pretty skeptical by nature, but I do appreciate knowing I'm not the only skeptical one.
> If he isn't learning to read, get a tutor from outside the school.
Thankfully, and I am very grateful for this, he seems on the other hand to be gifted, already reading on his own without benefit of any instruction from anyone, exactly as I was at the same age. (yes, I'm bragging a bit on his behalf there. ;o)
> Investigate any and all private schools w/in 1 hour of your home; don't be dissuaded by price because at least 40%
> of the students at any given private school receive financial aid.
> Just learn what your options are in case the public school system doesn't work out.I'll keep that in mind, but I have already paid for the best Episcopal school in my area for my older son and while it was an excellent three years' worth of education, even with financial aid I simply can't afford it anymore for one child let alone three, which brings us to the point you mentioned about wealthy public schools. Since I could not afford good private schools anymore, I did the next best thing and strategically planned my relocation to plant us squarely in the best and wealthiest award-winning school district in the Baltimore metropolitan area. I even hand-picked the school for its reputation to catering to various needs and I am very pleased with it and the people who run it. Pretty smart if I do say so myself, huh? :oD
> And realize that both ADHD and bipolar disorders are highly treatable. the greatest single predictor of ADHD or bipolar is
> family history, and more strongly for bipolar that ADHD.Yes, my father struggled with bipolar disorder his entire life including several hospitalizations, and that family history is what influenced the diagnosis my son has received at such a young age.
Again, thanks and I did check out the links you posted. I appreciate the support!
Posted by greenhornet on April 8, 2005, at 19:28:16
In reply to The Bipolar Child, posted by grapebubblegum on June 25, 2001, at 9:23:36
OK, I'm decided to stop back. Hi again. Will someone please explain to me WHY there are suddenly all of these "bipolar children". Twenty years ago there were none! So why are they now coming out of the woodwork ??
This is the end of the thread.
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