Bi-Polar Disorder, or Manic Depression, is characterized by mood swings, sometimes extreme, ranging from depressed to normal moods, or from depressed to manic episodes. Manic behaviors are often very similar to "hyperactive" behaviors, including motor restlessness, irritability, temper outbursts, sleeping less, or having higher levels of energy. It is rare. But it does happen.
About three times per year a child is brought to my office for an assessment for ADHD who ends up having "Early Onset Bi-Polar Disorder." These children are typically displaying very extreme behaviors, such as throwing their bicycle -- off of the roof -- at the policemen who have been called, and so on. (When I received that call I wasn't sure what to ask first. "What was he doing on the roof with his bike?" was the best I could think of. "He was going to ride off of the roof, of course." was the answer from the child's mom.)
The behaviors may not be constant or consistently displayed as one might expect from an ADHD child, and may be more extreme than one would expect from ADHD.
The big clue is taking a family history and seeing if either of the parents, their brothers or sisters, or their parents, have/had a bi- polar disorder. If so, then this clue will be very helpful in making a proper diagnosis. I usually refer families to UCLA for a better evaluation, but in your community you may need to rely on an evaluation by a very good psychiatrist (never go to a bad or even average psychiatrist, only good ones!). Ask about experience with bi-polar disorder in children.
Telephone teaching hospitals in your area if there are any, or call your local private psychiatric hospital. Don't ask the switch board operator for a referral, instead ask for the children's unit or the adolescent unit. Once transferred there, ask the unit nurse who they would recommend ("If it were your child, who would you take your child to see?") The nurses know.
Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.
Child ADHD - Deciding Where to Draw the Line
The wonderful adaptability of children in dealing with the challenges of this ever-changing and unpredictable world is really amazing. Their growth from a state of familial security and dependence through progressive stages of self-direction and personal autonomy requires enormous and almost anti-gravitational efforts on their part.
Is ADHD a Real Disease?
The vast majority of Ritalin and Adderall is given to school children to treat an alleged disease called ADHD. Children who suffer from ADHD are said to be inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive.
New Information Published About Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd) Supports Previous Research Regarding Potentially Significa
Results from published studies and surveys showed:
- A higher proportion of adults with ADHD compared to adults without the disorder reported financial problems such as nonpayment of utilities resulting in termination, having a poor credit rating and not saving for retirement
- More adults with ADHD engaged in anti-social behavior such as stealing, breaking and entering, and were arrested and sent to jail than those adults without ADHD
Guidelines For Choosing A Treatment Program For A Teen With Add Or Adhd
Many adolescents who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) experience a number of behavioral and academic problems that can limit their success in interpersonal relationships, school, and individual achievement. These adolescents may lack self-control, have greater difficulty making friends and finding acceptance, be more likely to abuse substances, become involved in delinquency, or experience anxiety, mood, and behavioral disorders.
To Embrace our Inner Child and Our ADHD child
We sometime take for granted the littlest things in life. Like a smile from our children and their laughter.
Can Recommended ADHD Diets Help Minimize Symptoms?
A growing number of parents are turning to diet to help ease the symptoms of their child's ADHD. More often, ADHD-related diets are used as a way to either minimize dependence on medications or as the first step to manage ADHD symptoms before turning to drugs. But how effective are ADHD diets recommended by many experts in the field?
How Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) Diagnosed?
Assessing whether a certain individual is suffering from Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder or not is far harder than it appears to laymen like ourselves. This is because, not only does it?s symptoms largely overlap those of hyperthyroidism etc. they are also largely exhibited by ?normal? human beings some time or the other every single day. Therefore the first important step towards diagnosing the disease is to consult a trained health care provider regarding it. Things only seem scary when we are treading over 'new ground', so to speak. Take small but deliberate steps and a positive end will begin to appear on the horizion.
Homeschooling For Adhd Child - How To Effectively Home School Adhd Child
How do you help your child with adhd at home? A child who has ADHD can be trying at the best times, and is especially onerous for the non-professional, and sadly, there is a severe lack of knowledge, awareness and indeed available information for the parents, 2 key topics which is often raised by parents are concerns regarding medication, as well as the suitability of homeschooling. Because children typically suffer from ADHD at around preschool age, then it is in their best interests to be homeschooled.
ADHD Medication? Not For Sufferer Who Became Millionaire Overnight
ADHD sufferer Tellman Knudson reveals the secrets for overcoming his crippling disorder without medication and allowed him to go from broke to becoming a multi-millionaire in just months.
School Issues: When Should an ADHD Child Be Held Back In School?
This can be a very complicated issue, so I don't mean to suggest that my comments here are the definitive thoughts on the subject. For a parent to even consider the issue, things have to be pretty problematic at school.
Homework Help for the Attention Deficit Child
Does the homework battle so typical with your hyperactive or A.D.
ADHD - Sleep Difficulties, Procrastination and other difficulties related to Job Stability
Statement: My intent in this newsletter is to express as quickly as possible my own beliefs and opinions on matters. I have no problems with people who disagree with my opinion and have even been swayed to rethink my position from time to time.
The Classic ADHD Child Reminds Me of Tigger
ADHD comes in differenty forms, or types. What has become known as "classic ADHD" is characterized by Inattention, Impulsivity, Hyperactivity, Restlessness, and Disorganization.
Understanding The Science Behind Behavior Therapy Adhd Treatments
As a non-medical treatment approach, behavior therapy ADHD treatment is a well-recognized therapy for children who have been diagnosed with ADHD. The process is also sometimes referred to as behavior management.
10 Benefits of Having Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
There is a common misconception in the world that having Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a bad thing. While the ADD-wired brain certainly presents some challenges, it also offers some incredible benefits.