13 w/Bipolar Disorder?

My 13 year old daughter has recently been diagnosed as a Kleptomaniac (which I already knew), and having Bipolar. She is full of energy and I've never seen her depressed. Her mood seems stable to me. I dont know what she may have said to the doctors for them to determine that. Is there anyone who knows someone with this disorder who was full of energy prior to being medicated? we have seen more than one doctor and they all said the same thing. I am still undecided on wether or not I want to medicate her because to me, that's something very serious. any advice or stories?

The bipolar cycle runs from being hyper to being depressed. Everyone differs in how long they stay in a phase, so maybe you just haven't noticed the depression phase yet. Kleptomania would certainly fit right in with being bipolar--you do things like that that are illegal, and eventually you will end up in some kind of trouble. I would go ahead and keep her on the medicine they have prescribed and take it from there. She seems to be in a manic phase, especially with the Kleptomaniac part, and that is a normal part of being bipolar. Maybe if you do some research on here and get some books on it you will fee better about the diagosis. There is a book out called "Bipolar Disorder for Dummies" and you find it at most any bookstore. It is the best book about bipolar I have ever read. Try that, and good luck!

Hi
My cousin was diagnosed as bipolar recently. She rarely shows signs of being depressed, on the contrary, she is always hyper, manicly hyper actually. She flits, she doesnt stick to one thing for long, boyfriends, friends, jobs, anything.

Depending on what meds your daughter has been prescribed for the condition should sway your decision, if they have given her lithium which totally flatlines your moods, its serious, they have prescribed that for a reason, dont take the doctors opinion lightly.

Trust me, my sister is also ill, we were undecided at the beginning as to the best course for her, 10 years later she is a shell of what she could have been.

bipolar is manic depression. this is marked by periods of mania where you have a lot of energy, followed by periods of depression. that is bipolar, and yeah in a manic moment you can seem very happy, energetic, or it can also show up as anger, stressed and figity. it is also one condition that responds very well to meds. the meds help regulate dopamine in the brain and help equalize the mood swings.

Bipolar disorder can be very serious my sister has it and she has put my family through hell ever since we were kids she is now 29 with two kids lives with my parents b/c my parents have custody. She needs help but now is unwilling its seems she has been very good at convincing people she is not sick but it is very obvious to us!!! I would definately look into it for your daughters and your sake!!! Good luck!!!

My son was 5 when he was diagnosed. Full of energy and generally happy. I have heard that many kleptomaniacs are bipolar. I am not sure of all the signs and symptoms but I am sure whatever questions she answered led them to believe it. It is better to find out now than later because it can be a nightmare!

Someone in my family had the same problems and the parents were hesitate about giving her medication. I went to visit and talked them into letting me take her to the doctor. She was put on medication and after a few weeks there was such a change in this young lady. I think that some people do need the meds in order to carry on with their life.

well, if she hasnt been depressed yet and she is bipolar, maybe she will be soon. i say leave it another couple of months and see if she needs the medication. good luck!!

If she wasn't assessed by a peds psychiatrist specializing in mood disorders, I'd take her to one before going along with the bipolar diagnosis. I'd also want a long talk w/the doc that made the diagnosis about how s/he distinguished between hyperactivity and bipolar disorder. The illness does present differently in kids, so expecting the "standard" swings isn't the best measure. Also, depression can present differently in all people. Those with bipolar often have atypical depression - extremely lethargic, sad to suicidal, the world turns grey, but not a lot of crying and ordinary depressed feelings. Kids can be good at masking and their cycle can be pretty fast.

As for meds, my own yard stick would be whether education, socialization, and functioning were significantly impaired. I'd also seriously consider whether she is sleeping thru the night. If she is all the time, I'd be more inclined to discount the bipolar diagnosis.

In any case, with the Kleptomania, she should spend some time in therapy. That could be something of its own, a childhood definance, or possibly a symptom of bipolar poor decision making (if she has the disorder).

Yes, bipolar can present as just manic, but that is extremely rare. If anything, it's more likely someone also experiences depression as mixed states (depressed and hypomanic - irritable/aggitated) or has yet to crash into full depression.