Daughter with exteme outbursts

[whitney6494]

Hi everyone,
I'm trying to deal with and diagnose my daughter who has no patience,extreme violent outbursts and has trouble at school. The medication that she takes has helped a little but has caused her to put on some major weight. They say she has a little ADD some bipolar characteristics. She is such a loving caring girl when she's happy but then just snaps and gets very aggresive. Just wondering if anyone else is dealing with something similar and can tell me what they are doing or have done to make thing a little easier.

 

[quasar4legs]

Hi,
Wanted to send you a big, it can be so tough dealing with any type of behaviour/medical issues.

It might be worth posting this question on the disabilities board as lots of those parents have years of experience of finding the right help and resources for their children. I am sure they will have lots of ideas.

Others will have more helpful advice regarding your daughter but I just wanted to remind you to take care of you and spend some time doing something your enjoy. My stress reliever is to take a book and jump in a nice warm bath for half an hour.

Hope you can get some answers and help soon.

Quasar

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Hi everyone,
I'm trying to deal with and diagnose my daughter who has no patience,extreme violent outbursts and has trouble at school. The medication that she takes has helped a little but has caused her to put on some major weight. They say she has a little ADD some bipolar characteristics. She is such a loving caring girl when she's happy but then just snaps and gets very aggresive. Just wondering if anyone else is dealing with something similar and can tell me what they are doing or have done to make thing a little easier.

OMG- your daughter seems alot like me as a child. Things got better when I was on ADD meds (ritilan) and also on depression meds. Therphy also helped.

 

[minniebeth]

I agree with Quasar, the Disabilities board would be a good place to get more advice on your situation.

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this situation. While I don't have any personal experience with my own children, I have taught special ed and have had children with ADD/ADHD and bipolar tendencies. I also have friend with children who do. It is a constant adjustment and readjustment to life each and every day. It can be exhausting.

I would definately work with your medical professionals on how to help deal with her and definately work with a counselor not only for your DD but for your whole family since it affects everyone. They are great with helping develop strategies that can help avoid situations and strategies for dealing with them when they arise.

to you! Take care of yourself as well!

 

[mommasita]

That must be very difficult in dealing with.

I have friends going through this right now, and they are at about the same spot you are.

They find the medication is great for school, but at home she is . The weight gain is incredible, and very fast. They are in counseling to see what it can offer.

Hugs and prayers to you I hope you find some answers that help.

 

[Blondiex46]

if she is taking medication for ADD/ADHD and she has bi-polar they won't work....usually kids that take medication and go to school it is wearing off when they come home so when she is home on the weekends and she is on the meds that is how you can tell if it works.

 

[minkydog]

Your DD sounds a lot like my oldest, DS24. He was always my high maintenance kid, very volatile. Although he was treated for ADD from about age 7yo, and had multiple bouts of depression from age 4(!), there was always "something else" going on. His anger was over the top--none of our friends were dealing with anger in the severity that we were. DS was never appropriately treated until he had a breakdown at age 17. FINALLY he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and got the meds and therapy he needed.

DS24 continued to be stable for several years, as long as he took his meds. Now that he's an adult, he has decided that he doesn't like to take meds, says they make him dull and uncreative. Unfortunately, *not* taking the meds also makes him more critical, angry, and aggressive.He seems to have little or no empathy for others and can be cruel at times (just like my dad--mean as a snake) He doesn't see himself as others see him. I really fear for his future. We have several people in our family who have bipolar disorder, including me. Those who are treated appropriately are productive and mostly happy citizens. Those who are not are very unhappy, angry, and 2 are alcoholics who medicate with liquor.

I'm not saying your child has bipolar, but you do need to work closely with your doctors. There really is something going there, it's not just you.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

has your dd been dx'd as bipolar? If so, there are meds that she would take everyday..not just for school as they do with ADD/ADHD meds.. Instead of trying to find out thru word of mouth here (not that it is a bad start) but to really find out, you need to take her to a Psychiatrist. Between seeing a Psychiatrist for meds, then a Psychologist for therapy.. you can work on trying different things.. some kids respond better than other kids on different types of drugs/therapy combo's.. sometimes with Bipolar, it is also a trial and error in finding the right meds...
I wish you lots of luck.. and stay strong and firm with her. Do not give into things just because she is having an outburst..

Here is an awesome website for Bipolar and those with a dual dx.. there will be lots of info on it for you..and other parents like you too.. Bipolar World.... hope this helps you a little...

http://bipolarworld.net/

forgot to add, here is another great site.. the official.... National Alliance on Mental Illness....
http://http://nami.org/

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Your DD sounds a lot like my oldest, DS24. He was always my high maintenance kid, very volatile. Although he was treated for ADD from about age 7yo, and had multiple bouts of depression from age 4(!), there was always "something else" going on. His anger was over the top--none of our friends were dealing with anger in the severity that we were. DS was never appropriately treated until he had a breakdown at age 17. FINALLY he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and got the meds and therapy he needed.

DS24 continued to be stable for several years, as long as he took his meds. Now that he's an adult, he has decided that he doesn't like to take meds, says they make him dull and uncreative. Unfortunately, *not* taking the meds also makes him more critical, angry, and aggressive.He seems to have little or no empathy for others and can be cruel at times (just like my dad--mean as a snake) He doesn't see himself as others see him. I really fear for his future. We have several people in our family who have bipolar disorder, including me. Those who are treated appropriately are productive and mostly happy citizens. Those who are not are very unhappy, angry, and 2 are alcoholics who medicate with liquor.

I'm not saying your child has bipolar, but you do need to work closely with your doctors. There really is something going there, it's not just you.

some also self medicate with illegal drugs.. and that opens another world of trouble for them as well as their families...

 

[Disneylandnewbie]

One of the best things we did for my 13 year old who has ADHD was to remove all artificial food colors from his diet. There is some evidence that artificial chemicals and colors in foods do not help this condition.I hope this helps.

 

[Brenle]

Has there been a traumatic even that occurred recently? She could have repressed feelings about past incident(s) and this is how it's appearing today. From your post I'm not sure if you have a concrete diagnosis. But there are many people who have characterisitcs of bipolar disorder and ADD but it doesn't mean they "have it." There are many support groups out there for parents in the same situation. Maybe that's an avenue you'd like to take. I hope things work out for you and your family.

 

[Mandyjg20]

Hello, I am bi polar, was not diagnosed until I was 18 years old. I also had extreme violent episodes and very low patiences, My mother did not know what to do with me.
She finally took me to as a pp said "a Psychiatrist for meds, then a Psychologist for therapy.. ", I have done a complete 360 and my mom and I have the best relationship now, she never thought that day would come. Your DD may have to try out a few psychologists as well to find out who offers the best advice for your daughter and your family. (I speak from experience my 1st one told me to move out and at 18 thats exactly what I did, horrible year and a baby girl a year and a half later I moved back home) People who suffer from bi polar make very bad decisions and judgement calls and are very impulsive.She may also have to try different medicines, and once her body gets used to a medicine they have to change dosages or type of medication.
She will have to deal with this every single day of her life, it will be hard all around but manageable.
Also watch how many carbs she is eating throughout the day, I know when I am on my low carb diet I am in better moods and able to control myself the best.
Whats best for you in this situation to do is if she starts her episode walk away, stop talking and wait until she's done. I know people think its letting her get away with things, its not, she has to fume if she doesnt things or people get hurt, when she's done she will be able to talk about things better. My mom used to make me go to my room, yes even when I was 18 and let me fume there. If I ruined something it was my own things.
Remember she loves you! No matter what is said or done. But you have to tell her over and over again that no matter how much she loves you hurting you, anyone else, or your property is not tolerable and inexcusable. Keep repeating yourself on this, you dont want her to get anyway with anything just because she knows you know she really loves you.
Be patient let her get her frustrations out, and make sure she is working with her psychologist and taking her meds as instructed everyday!
If she says she doesnt needs the meds let her tell you the differences she is feeling when taking and when not taking and then sit down as a family and explain to her the differences when taking and when not taking her meds its eye opener. If she doesnt listen record her so she can hear herself. Make sure you are fully part of her therapy as well!!
hope this helps alot, if you want to talk I am here for you

 

[LuvOrlando]

Read this, a person who is Bipolar can't be given ADHD drugs, it can trigger an episode.

www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1003048,00.html

 

[Disneylandnewbie]

I agree completely with this. My DS has mild ADHD and we removed food coloring and it helped a great deal. We also give him a supplement called "Attentive Child." It also seems to help. We also made a schedule for him because kids with ADHD thrive with structure. I also agree that you should take time for yourself This will help you deal with the challenge of an ADHD child.

One of the best things we did for my 13 year old who has ADHD was to remove all artificial food colors from his diet. There is some evidence that artificial chemicals and colors in foods do not help this condition.I hope this helps.