Posted by SLS on August 17, 2006, at 9:22:56
In reply to Re: Please help... Bi-Polar Son..., posted by justscared on August 17, 2006, at 8:32:07
> > Hi.
> >
> > In what ways does your son's condition present itself? How would he be without medication?
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
> He was originally diagnosed as ADHD, due to hyperactivity and inability to stay focused. I still think alot of the focus issues may be related to his 50% hearing loss.
>
> He had bouts of depression after his father and I divorced, which I hoped therapy would change. As he has gotten older, he now has rage issues as well. Often becoming physically agressive, especially when teased or taunted.
>
> When everything is going his way, he is a great kid with a wonderful personality. But as soon as something doesn't go his way, look out! I always took him off of the ADHD meds during summer breaks and he really wasn't much different, as those meds never seemed to help much.
>
> He does not like the way he acts, and will say that he just cannot control himself. He has tried to jump out of a moving car several times and has talked of suicide during depressed states as well as during uncontrollable rages.
>
> I could go on and on....
I can see why Trileptal was chosen. It normally has the ability to reduce mania and acts to moderate aggressive and impulsive thoughts and behavior along with behavioral dyscontrol. Actually, Tegretol has been the standard drug for this condition in the past, but Trileptal, its sister drug, is considered to have fewer side effects, although it remains to be seen if it is equally effective.The Risperdal was a decent shot. I can understand its choice as well.
How do you know when your son is depressed?
Diagnosing children is difficult. I wouldn't presume to be able to diagnose yours.
As others have suggested, it would be ideal if a single drug in the form of a mood-stabilizer were to remedy the situation. Depakote and lithium are attractive for various reasons. However, if they don't perform well, then other avenues must be explored, even if that means using antipsychotics like Zyprexa or Abilify for the mania/aggression/impulse/behavioral dyscontrol stuff. These are indeed serious drugs. However, jumping out of moving cars is a serious consequence of inadequate treatment.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:677083
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060810/msgs/677383.html