My 10 yr old has had mental and behavior problems since he was very young (like 3). We have finally gotten him properly diagnosed with childhood onset bipolar and ODD w/ ADHD tendencies. He is currently on 250mg of Depakote, which he is really not showing any improvement with. He has been on this dosage for 3 months. My main question is has anyone had experience with this type of illness in a child and if so has Lithium worked for them? I want to change his meds to lithium, because it did wonders for me and I think he would benefit greatly. Thanks ahead for any info. Please if you can’t post something relevant and helpful don’t post at all. We have done therapy, behavior modification, parental classes, diet changes and he is in a special behavior classroom for special needs children.
FYI his doctor did not diagnose his Bipolar he has had 2 full pyschological evaluations and the leading psychiatrist for Children’s hospital in Seattle diagnosed him.
And he is not just acting out, he has suicidal tendencies, has threatened my husband and I wih knives, he was expelled from 1st grade, he does have discipline, and I have 2 other children raised exactly the same that are completely normal and healthy mentally. And this is not just a pahse, it has been going on for 7 damn years. My main question is if anyone has had experience with lithium in childhood use and if they would recommend it.
!0 year old son, diagnosed Bipolar and ODD w/ADHD tendencies…?
07
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FlowersYes
June 7, 2010 at 11:00 pm
3 months is long enough for sure. Tell his doctor you need to go a different way and need his help. See how he takes this. If need be, get another doctor.
jazmin b
June 7, 2010 at 11:11 pm
MA’AM I PERSONALLY BELIEVE YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR IS BOGUS….. I PERSONALLY BELIEVE A DOCTOR CANT DIAGNOSE A CHILD WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER. ITS RIDICULOUS. JUST BECAUSE A CHILD ACT OUT DOESNT MEAN YOU PUT A CHILD ON MEDICATION AND IF THAT MEDICATION DOESNT WORK AND HAS SIDE EFFECT THE DOCTOR PRESCRIBES MORE MEDICATION AND MAKES THE SITUATION WORSE. YOUR TEN YR OLD JUST NEED SOME SIMPLE GROUND RULES A DISCIPLINE THAT’S IT. GET YOU CHILD IN A ACTIVITY THAT HE OR SHE WILL ENJOY.. I BELIEVE THIS A JUST A PHASE FOR YOUR CHILD… BUT YOU KNOW YOUR CHILD BETTER THAN I DO.. YOU KNOW WHATS BEST FOR YOUR CHILD… AS FAR AS ADHD GOES A LOT OF CHILDREN HAVE THE DISORDER YOU SAY HE HAS TENDENCIES OF THE DISORDER—-WELL I SAY GET YOUR CHILD MIND OFF ALL THE NEGATIVE THINGS HE OR SHE IS FEELING….. SPORTS, PAINTING INSTRUMENTS…. ANYTHING……YOU ALREADY SAID THE MEDICATION ISN’T WORKING…. THIS MEAN YOU NEED TO FIND ANOTHER ESCAPE ROUTE….I’M POSITIVE YOU AS A MOTHER CAN DO IT….LITHIUM MIGHT WORK GIVE IT A TRY……AND ONE MORE THING.. DON’T TREAT YOUR CHILD AS IF SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH HIM OR HER… TREAT THEM EQUAL.. TELL THEN YOU LOVE AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE THERE NO MATTER WHAT…. SOME KIDS ACT OUT BECAUSE OF CHILD HOOD TERRORS OR BEING HURT IN THE PAST.. OR EVEN NOT FEELING LOVED……. EVERY THING IS NOW IN YOUR HANDS… GOOD LUCK