Is BiPolar The New ADHD?

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koan
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Is BiPolar The New ADHD?

Post by koan »

An article here outlines the problems with the current trend towards diagnosing young children with bipolar disorder.

The percentages of children on psychiatric medication is skyrocketing. The article points out that there is little information on what the long term health risks are from side effects. My sister in law mentioned this trend recently and said that she's noticed mothers of children on medication almost bragging about it like they enjoyed their child's illness. Not that all parents are like that, but I know what she means. In some ways, it might have been better back when mental illness in the family meant social death. At least then all other avenues were exhausted before resorting to medication.

I also read an article in McLeans wherein, intended or not, the author indicates that Ritalin give kids an advantage at school. Like steroids for the mind. I can see a bunch of idiot parents trying to get their kid on Ritalin now to improve their grades. Am I just cynical or do too many parents jump to drug their kids too fast?
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Pheasy
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Post by Pheasy »

Yes, yes and yes.

Certain psychiatrists are now stating that ADHD is in fact bi-polar. The specified symptoms are virtually identical.

For parents to be proud of the fact that their child has this illness disgusts me :( and parents who use these illnesses as an excuse to put their children on meds for better grades makes me want to spit and hurl all sorts of abuse :mad:
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kazalala
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Post by kazalala »

Its saying in the papers this is apparently what Britney has, Bi Polar. Im afraid i dont know much about it:o




FOC THREAD PART1

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

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Sheryl
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Post by Sheryl »

I know there are kids out there who do need help. But I can't help to feel that there are kids whose parents are to quick to look for medical help. Hyperactivity could be from diet, lack of stimulation, and numerous other things. I just want to know if these parents had tried putting their kids in activities such a karate, or just sending them outdoors to play to wear off some of the energy. Or how many of these are acting out because they crave attention from adults, whether it's positive or negative.
"Girls are crazy! I'm not ever getting married, I can make my own sandwiches!"

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grh
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Is BiPolar The New ADHD?

Post by grh »

They had me get Ritalin for my son when he was in 3rd grade. I did. he took it for one week and then I went into school and told them I was taking him off. I told them that if they had trouble telling him to sit down and shut up, to call me. I told them that he had no trouble following instructions at home because he knew if I told him to do something he'd damned well better get to doing it. I then told him I would be more then happy to sit parked outside his school waiting to be waved in. His other option was to quit dicking around and sit down and shut up.

Guess what... he was cured.:rolleyes:

bi-polar and all the other 'in' terms for behaving like a jackass, are just excuses, IMO. Most kids are idiots because other folks accept the behavior from them.

Not me...

Bi-polar my ass:-6
Who are they to protest me? Who are they? Unless they've been me and been there and know what the hell they're yelling about!

:yh_glasse

rambo
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YZGI
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Post by YZGI »

grh;772217 wrote: They had me get Ritalin for my son when he was in 3rd grade. I did. he took it for one week and then I went into school and told them I was taking him off. I told them that if they had trouble telling him to sit down and shut up, to call me. I told them that he had no trouble following instructions at home because he knew if I told him to do something he'd damned well better get to doing it. I then told him I would be more then happy to sit parked outside his school waiting to be waved in. His other option was to quit dicking around and sit down and shut up.



Guess what... he was cured.:rolleyes:



bi-polar and all the other 'in' terms for behaving like a jackass, are just excuses, IMO. Most kids are idiots because other folks accept the behavior from them.



Not me...

Bi-polar my ass:-6
That sounds a bit like the conversation I had with my middle son, Well that and the visit to the Military academy that he was going to be sent to. Cured!!
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Pheasy
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Post by Pheasy »

I have a 'deja vu' feeling, so I am going to back out of this thread :)
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YZGI
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Post by YZGI »

ThePheasant;772237 wrote: I have a 'deja vu' feeling, so I am going to back out of this thread :)
:wah::wah:
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hoxtonchris
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Post by hoxtonchris »

sadly illnessess come into vogue or fashion just as shoes do,and if some adults cant claim the latest fashionable illness for themselves they will have it by proxy saying their offspring have it.consider this ,how often do you hear parents say"of course my little johnny has heammerhoids!"but if the queen had them all of a sudden the whole of west london would have piles of em hanging off lamposts!!!
grh
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Post by grh »

hoxtonchris;772257 wrote: sadly illnessess come into vogue or fashion just as shoes do,and if some adults cant claim the latest fashionable illness for themselves they will have it by proxy saying their offspring have it.consider this ,how often do you hear parents say"of course my little johnny has heammerhoids!":yh_rotfl:yh_rotflbut if the queen had them all of a sudden the whole of west london would have piles of em hanging off lamposts!!!


More like 'my little johnny acts like a bleeding hemorrhoid':wah:
Who are they to protest me? Who are they? Unless they've been me and been there and know what the hell they're yelling about!

:yh_glasse

rambo
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Mystery
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Post by Mystery »

Medication should always be a last resort, after all other options, techniques, etc. are exhausted, IMO. Unfortunately, that's not always how it happens. Furthermore, it frightens me how overly diagnosed both these illnesses are, especially in children. Listen, my son is terribly hyper and active and high spirited, but that's, to me, just his personality. Of course, we have a bit of trouble at his daycare at times, but discipline is the way around that. I just let him burn his energy off, and usually have no problems at all.
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JacksDad
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Post by JacksDad »

ThePheasant;772158 wrote: Yes, yes and yes.

Certain psychiatrists are now stating that ADHD is in fact bi-polar. The specified symptoms are virtually identical.




The problem is theses psychiatrists start a kid out on Ritalin. He's better but he's still not right. So they add, say, Adderall. Seems alright for 9 months but then he's..... lethargic?

Let's add some Concerta and Focalin.

Ruh-roh. Somethings wrong with him. Why he's not ADHD at all! He's Bi-Polar!

Let's just add a little Mirapex and top it off with some Seroquel for good measure.

OMG! He's schizophrenic!

Quick some Abilify and Clopazine.

There now.

Enjoy his funeral.

BTW? DID anyone ever stop the Ritalin prescription? No?

Oops.
koan
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Post by koan »

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 2002 almost 20 percent of office visits to pediatricians were for psychosocial problems -- eclipsing both asthma and heart disease. That same year the Food and Drug Administration reported that some 10.8 million prescriptions were dispensed for children -- they are beginning to outpace the elderly in the consumption of pharmaceuticals. And this year the FDA reported that between 1999 and 2003, 19 children died after taking prescription amphetamines -- the medications used to treat ADHD. These are the same drugs for which the number of prescriptions written rose 500 percent from 1991 to 2000.

source

Children are coming close to being more medicated than the elderly??!
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Sheryl
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Post by Sheryl »

Are there any specific tests they do to see if children are AHAD or Bi-polar? Or do they just make an "educated" guess and start prescribing?
"Girls are crazy! I'm not ever getting married, I can make my own sandwiches!"

my son
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Pheasy
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Post by Pheasy »

I agree with Koans OP, in that doctors are now trying to change their diagnoses. And that too many parents are using the meds. to deal with general behaviour problems, nutrition, or simply to get better grades. And sadly, as you pointed out JD, psychiatrists are just adding more and more meds to the childs cocktail, rather than finding out what the real problem is.

What I do have a problem with, is the other generalized comments/evaluations made in other posts here.

There finishes Pheasy input into this thread ........ maybe :D
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mrsK
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Post by mrsK »

Sheryl;772203 wrote: I know there are kids out there who do need help. But I can't help to feel that there are kids whose parents are to quick to look for medical help. Hyperactivity could be from diet, lack of stimulation, and numerous other things. I just want to know if these parents had tried putting their kids in activities such a karate, or just sending them outdoors to play to wear off some of the energy. Or how many of these are acting out because they crave attention from adults, whether it's positive or negative.


Good post Sheryl,all of the above good points.

We notice kids at school who are medicated just need some extra love & attention:-4:-6
It's nice to be important,but more important to be nice.
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Pheasy
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Post by Pheasy »

rjwould;772305 wrote: Fight for it, Pheasy....I hear ya!!


Trouble is RJ. I've been in a similar thread recently - got the t-shirt, baseball cap and frilly underwear to match :wah: I really can't be bothered. :thinking:

Also, I am in the middle of experimenting something - so my input would not be very useful at this time (like it usually is :thinking: :wah:)
koan
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Post by koan »

Sheryl;772299 wrote: Are there any specific tests they do to see if children are AHAD or Bi-polar? Or do they just make an "educated" guess and start prescribing?


I think it depends on the doctor. That last article said that one problem is parents prediagnosing their kids on the net then going from doctor to doctor until they find one that will prescribe the meds.
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JacksDad
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Post by JacksDad »

ThePheasant;772309 wrote: Trouble is RJ. I've been in a similar thread recently - got the t-shirt, baseball cap and frilly underwear to match :wah: I really can't be bothered. :thinking:




I hear ya. Been there, done that.

Here, Pheasey.

You can have my frilly underwear.
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Sheryl
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Post by Sheryl »

Ugh...I wonder if some of these parents wouldn't have some sort Munchausen disorder.
"Girls are crazy! I'm not ever getting married, I can make my own sandwiches!"

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koan
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Post by koan »

I wondered if parental hypochondria might be connected. Not sure if that extends beyond the individual's own health.
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Sheryl
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Post by Sheryl »

That's why I brought up Munchausen. Parents seeking attention for themselves, by making (thinking in this case)their kid is sick.
"Girls are crazy! I'm not ever getting married, I can make my own sandwiches!"

my son
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Pheasy
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Post by Pheasy »

JacksDad;772370 wrote: I hear ya. Been there, done that.

Here, Pheasey.

You can have my frilly underwear.


Thanks for the under-wear that I just received in my in-box, but eeeeewwww

YOU COULD HAVE WASHED THEM FIRST :D
kiwimum76
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Post by kiwimum76 »

It is a recognised point (according to child psychiatrists & adult) that children who have been diagnosed with ADHD as children, have a slightly higher risk of developing Bipolar as adults. The risk is higher again if a parent has Bi Polar and the child having ADHD, of the child developing Bi Polar in their teens or in adulthood.

My daughter has ADHD and has been on Ritalin for some years. We tried all sorts of behaviour management and parenting courses when she was small but there was little improvement.

With the Ritalin it is still very necessary to have good routines and to set boundaries for her behaviour. The difference is that she now takes this on board, can concentrate at school and finds it easier socially. Ritalin didn't give us any relief as far as sleeping goes, but we have now got some help with that and she sleeps for longer than she used too.

Some parents see Ritalin as a miracle cure. That is not the case. Good parenting with love but firm boundaries is still required. Some people like to label their children or to use their diagnosis as a topic of conversation. Some people see it as an easy way out. Some people withold the Ritalin from their child and take it themselves.

But there are also many people who have children with ADHD and use the Ritalin for all the right reasons.
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Peg
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Post by Peg »

My grandson, who isn't quite 3, goes absolutely beserk with foods that contain Red40. No Red 40, no problems. I wonder if anyone else has ever noticed a connection like this.
koan
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Post by koan »

My ex has clinical depression and they would have put my daughter on meds for it too in grade three. Thing was... she was depressed because she and her best friend had a falling out. While she was in between friends she was depressed.

That some kids might need medication is not really disputed, by me, my problem is when lots of kids are put on medication because no one bothers to find out what's really going on.



I believe there are different ways to cure one illness, I don't hold it against anyone who goes for meds to ease the problem and get time to consider their options. I do have a problem with kids being prescribed meds before all options and causes have been exhausted.
kiwimum76
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Post by kiwimum76 »

Red food colouring, orange food colouring, drinks containing caffeine all have bad effects on our daughter. Extreme hyperactivity etc. As a reult, she only drinks diet lemonade occasionally, mostly water and sometimes plain milk. The red in particular aggravated things badly with Louise's behaviour, but removing it from her diet was beneficial. But she still had ADHD and her thought patterns and behaviours showed that.

But I have a brother who reacted badly to red colouring. He got very hyped up, talking non stop etc. Mum made sure that he didn't get to eat foods that were high coloured and he was back to his usual self .



I believe there are different ways to cure one illness, I don't hold it against anyone who goes for meds to ease the problem and get time to consider their options. I do have a problem with kids being prescribed meds before all options and causes have been exhausted

Many people do consider all options. They listen to advice given to them by professionals before making choice about their childs health. We certainly had tried many different parenting style, routine etc to try to combat the behaviour. It didn't. The we went to s specialist Paediatrician that we knew and trusted. We kept an eye on the additives in her diet. But we decided to try Ritalin and Clonidine. Louise's behaviour was destructive for us and for her.

I took her to an educational psychologists who advised me to go and see the Paed as she was displaying a number of tendancies that ADHD kids have and that she was a gifted child as well.

We considered the options we had. G.P, check, parenting classes, check,educational child psychologist, Paediatrician, child psychiatrist. We took them all.

Koan, do you have any kids with Adhd? I was just interested to know?
koan
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Post by koan »

kiwimum76;840322 wrote:

Koan, do you have any kids with Adhd? I was just interested to know?


My daughter is considered normal. :p

A counselor wanted her assessed for depression but I nixed it and she was back to normal in a couple of weeks.

I took care of a teen who was diagnosed bipolar, ADHD and on meds for all the side effects from those meds. Her latest symptom last time I saw her was that she was lactating. She is 19 and never been pregnant.
kiwimum76
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Post by kiwimum76 »

Oh dear, I had a friend who was on a anti depressant and she got the lactating side effect. Not good.
kiwimum76
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Post by kiwimum76 »

Pinky;840421 wrote: Though I know all too well that many kids suffer with disorders, many are willing to blame the results of sloppy parenting and neglect - yes! Neglect - on labels. I'm sorry, but you rarely find that the children of well balanced, loving homes suffer from these types of disorder, whereas noticably children from homes that are under stress and can't give their kids the love or attention that they need are increasingly diagnosed with these things. There is a link, it's undeniable.

I'm not saying all, but the majority.


Yes there is a link.

But all families have different pressures. Some are greater than others, which can exacerbate problems in children.

I think that for most children, if they do have ADHD the symptoms will be noticable (maybe to a different extent, maybe not) regardless of the family situation.

Whether people are able or choose to explore the problem is the key.
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