My child was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Now what?
“You don’t have to have a college degree to be an expert,” Jennifer says. “You are an expert on your child.” |
Our series “Now What?” looks closely at significant challenges encountered by many families. In this article, experts discuss bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression.
Maybe you’ve been concerned about your child’s erratic moods and behaviors for years. Your child may be silly, energetic, and barely sleeping, then crash and be unable to get out of bed. They may argue with you and their teachers, or fly into rages and take extreme risks on the playground. You may see those changes happen a couple of times a year, within a week, or even in a single day. Experts estimate that about 2.5 percent of children have bipolar disorder, which is characterized by extreme and noticeable swings in mood and energy. Formerly known as manic depression, the highs of this illness are known as manic episodes and give abnormally intense energy to a child’s emotional state. The lows, or depressive episodes, involve deep sadness, irritability, listlessness, physical pain, and thoughts of death or suicide. Concerns and Consultations Parker was a healthy, happy baby from the moment Jennifer and her husband received him at birth through a planned adoption. Although he had some mild speech and sensory delays before preschool, Jennifer says it was nothing of concern. Parker loved his Montessori preschool. By kindergarten, due to active and restless behaviors that defied all the supportive interventions his teachers tried, he was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. He was taking a little longer to read and often cried in the evenings because he hadn’t accomplished an unrealistic goal, like solving homelessness or world hunger. But most of the time he was in motion, playing soccer and talking with his friends. By spring of his kindergarten year, he was still struggling to read, so Jennifer arranged an evaluation for a reading disorder. The evaluation identified Parker’s dyslexia, but the psychologist also said he was at high risk for bipolar disorder. She helped the family schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist at the end of summer. Jennifer says that even though she is a mental health professional herself, she was blindsided by the psychologist’s recommendation. A Rollercoaster of Unpredictable Behaviors Two weeks later, on the morning after Parker’s kindergarten graduation, his first major depressive episode began. “He went to bed feeling a little sad,” Jennifer recalls. “In the morning he couldn’t get up.” “Every fiber, every cell of his being hurt,” she says. For two weeks, “If he was awake, he was crying or lethargic. I got him dressed for a birthday party, thinking it would cheer him up, but we had to carry him out in tears after five minutes.” Parker’s pediatrician prescribed an antidepressant. After one dose, Parker was happy again. Jennifer knew antidepressants shouldn’t work instantly, but she didn’t care. She had her son back. Elated, the family splurged on a trip to Disney World. Usually shy, Parker suddenly began chatting with strangers. At Disney World he went all day without a break. Instead of collapsing at bedtime, he quietly played in the hotel room while his parents slept. They just thought he was having a blast. Parker’s high spirits continued. At summer’s end the family went to the psychiatrist, who took one look at Parker and asked, “How long has he been hypomanic?” Hypomania is similar to mania, but, while the person needs less sleep and has higher energy and self-esteem, they are able to continue with everyday life. The psychiatrist diagnosed Parker with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, a condition characterized by daily explosive outbursts and irritability. Finally, the Correct Diagnosis Life was relatively calm until fourth grade, when puberty hit Parker hard. Shifting hormones brought on mixed episodes, which Jennifer describes as, “I hate you, get away from me, and also I need you intensely.” Mixed episodes are common for children with bipolar disorder, Jennifer says. “The depression causes rage,” she explains. “Mania gives them more energy, less need for sleep, some grandiosity, and lots of talking.” Many families will see a child punch holes in walls or break doors when they have mixed episodes. Parker’s doctor diagnosed him with bipolar as school became harder to navigate. Parker recalls a depressive episode where he was crying in class, resting his head on his desk. His teacher became frustrated and pulled his chair out from under him. Jennifer says, “His sadness made people uncomfortable. When they tried to cheer him up and it didn’t work they would get angry.” Eventually they decided homeschooling would be the best option for him. About Bipolar Disorder Children diagnosed with bipolar disorder often arrive at the diagnosis after an “alphabet soup” of previous diagnoses: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), auditory processing disorder (APD), disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), depression, anxiety, and more. The cycles of mania and depression can last weeks or months. Ultradian cycling, in which the person’s mood changes rapidly between manic and depressive within a single day or hour, is common, as are mixed episodes. Children may experience what is known as prodromal bipolar disorder, in which they show some of the signs but do not meet the full criteria for diagnosis. Some children with prodromal bipolar will find that their symptoms resolve in adulthood. However, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is considered a severe and persistent mental illness requiring management for life. Supports and Therapies Children with bipolar disorder need a lot of support. Experts recommend that they participate in talk therapy with a therapist trained and experienced in working with bipolar disorder. Medication is also instrumental. No one medication and no one dose is right for every person, so a psychiatrist will need to work with you and your child to help find the right medication or combination of medications at effective doses. Some of the most essential support a child with bipolar needs is from their family. Parents, caregivers, and siblings interact with the child on a daily basis and need to learn how to handle the challenges of life with a bipolar loved one, and how to respond calmly and safely to mood swings. Participating in parent support groups is often helpful. Children with bipolar disorder also need accommodations at school. Teachers and staff need to understand what bipolar disorder is and how to offer encouragement, comfort, and safety when your child is struggling. Become an Expert, Make a Plan At 14, Parker is stable on a good combination of medications. He is an avid visual artist who wants to help solve big problems like climate change through his sculptures and paintings. Jennifer says if your child has bipolar, “Make a safety plan during good times to use during bad times.” Safety plans cover what a child should do when they feel a meltdown coming on, where they can go, whom they can go to when not at home. Your child’s therapist and doctor can help develop a plan covering where your child should be hospitalized, if necessary, and what your next choice is if no beds are available. “You have to practice it when they’re well. You have to talk about it,” she says. “It can work.” Lastly, she says, you need to become a parent expert. “Read everything you can on bipolar.” Then, she says, “you can partner with the doctor. You’re able to do more strategies at home and partner with your child’s therapist in a good and helpful way.” “You don’t have to have a college degree to be an expert,” Jennifer says. “You are an expert on your child.” Sources American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, “Bipolar Disorder: Parents’ Medication Guide for Bipolar Disorder in Children & Adolescents,” 2010 Papolos, Demitri, and Papolos, Janice, The Bipolar Child (Third Edition): The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood’s Most Misunderstood Disorder, 2007 Learn More Martinez, Juliet B., “My Child Was Diagnosed with Autism. Now What?” 2020 Martinez, Juliet B., “My Child Was Diagnosed with OCD. Now What?” 2020 The Bipolar Child: Resources for Bipolar Children, Teens, and Adults |