What is the best way to find out if your daughter, 8 yrs. old is bipolar? My mother is bipolar?
Question:
She is hoping the school will help her get help for her daughter. I really don't want to go into detail, but there are many symptoms of bipolar, a lot of bizzare behavior; the extreme mood changes; inability to focus; the concrete thinking; anger problems; extremem jealousy of her little sister; (which by the way is perfectly normal). It seems like she is being defiant with her Mom, but she can't switch from one thought into another one, thus the frustration and the response of anger with her Mom. She doesn't seem to have ADHD,however, it may be a secondary problem. Any suggestions would be most helpful for the mother. She hates and loves her all at the same time. There isn't a lack of love.
Answers:
Deborah said just what was on my mind. It's certainly possible that she's bipolar, though the genetic predisposition is strongest between direct generations. She might not seem to have ADHD, but it's very much a possibility. Besides sharing traits with bipolar disorder, a lot of people don't realize that a lot of people with more severe ADHD often have trouble developing appropriate social skills. Especially as a child, it's not uncommon for difficulty getting along with other kids and having bursts of anger. Either way, it's all managable. It might be stressful for your daughter now, but at least something can be done about it.
You can take her to a psychiatrist and counselor.
Take her to the psychiatrist. They can run blood tests, use family background, and interview her. That's the only sure fire way to go. That way, they can make diagnosis and get her on meds to even her out early before it gets bad at puberty.
It could be hereditary. Take her to her Health Care Provider and he will find the answers.
idk i have add and i wint to the dr and he sayd i had add so just go to the dr
I was diagnosed and treated for bipolar for years but even with the meds I still felt off..I moved and got a new DR..talked to her about everything that had gone on in my life as far as past mental health issues..She concluded I was ADD it is very hard to diagnose it in girls and it often gets misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder..She sounds like the girl I once was always angry,mood swings,frustrated at the smallest things and felt very alone..IMHO I would find a specialist who deals with children and have the correct testing done to see what is going on..I was 27 before I felt normal and could accomplish a task from start to finish without getting mad and moody..I hope for everyone involved they find out what her situation is and treat it..I'm a different person know and happier than I have ever been..Good Luck
P.S. Remind mom this is a problem that can be helped and she is not to blame..
Go to a reputable child phychologist to discuss her symptoms. This is the only way to know.
Yes, something's definitely going on with her ... but please don't count on the schools to help her. The schools are great at saying "hey, something's wrong with your kid," but all they can legally do is suggest an evaluation.
First thing is an honest talk with the child's pediatrician. When I was having some problems with my son, his doctor gave me a questionnaire to fill out, asking for very specific responses. It helped to clarify a lot of things, especially what could be considered "normal" and what kinds of behaviors definitely were NOT normal. The pediatrician will be the one to determine whether the girl needs a psychological evaluation. (From your description of behavior, I'm confident he'll order one.)
I'm not a psychologist, so I can't offer any opinion as to what the problem could be ... but I AM the mom of an ADHD kid, and I'm familiar with a lot of the behaviors you mention. I'm aware that ADHD and bipolar share some symptoms, though bipolar is more serious. and potentially more dangerous.
Whatever it is, yes, it sure needs to be addressed before this girl starts puberty. Once those hormones start, that's a whole 'nother storm!
When you wrote "She hates and loves her all at the same time. There isn't a lack of love" ... wow, can I relate to THAT! I've felt that way with my son since ... as long as I can remember.
The sooner this child gets evaluated, the better for both her and her parents. As long as there's basic medical insurance, if the pediatrician orders a psych-eval, it should be covered. It's too important to put off, and once a diagnosis is made, and treatment is started, the greater the chances for success.
Best Wishes
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