Manic episodes

s&k'smom

<font color=blue>I really do have to get a life!<b
Joined
Apr 29, 2001
Messages
5,155
Hi, I'm gonna just throw this out there. My son, who is mildly autistic, goes through some intense emotional/behavioral experiences. We are scheduled to see the psychiatrist, pschologist and neurologist over the next few weeks and I'll pose this question to them too.

We just went through a really, really tough, maybe two month period of awful, aggressive behavior. Then almost overnight he calmed right down and was so happy. You know when you can tell someone's whole aura is calmer. Not that he won't be a bit aggressive now and then but nothing like it was. We always attributed it to seasonal change and I don't attribute it to the meds as he doesn't always get them, as a matter of fact I'm lucky I get any in him at all.

What exactly is a manic episode? Anyway any help would be wonderful. Take care, G
 
We've been there, too! We would see instantaneous mood swings for what we thought was no reason! I felt very much at the end of my rope and started looking for anything that might help that I hadn't tried.

Our 10.5 yo ds with Aspergers was much more aggressive and agitated when we weren't implementing a Gluten Free/Casein Free diet with him. It took us a long time to get to the point where we were willing to give it a try but we are sure glad we did!

We're seeing a naturopath who follows the DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) protocol with supplements and vitamins, etc. We've had a great turn-around with him.

A great book that helped me was Children with Starving Brains by Dr. Jacqueline McCandless.

I hope you find some answers!
 
I worked on an inpatient Psych unit with children and adolescents at one time in my Nursing career and saw several kids go through manic episodes.
Here's a link to the Biopolar Significant Others website. I don't know a whole lot about the organization, but there are a lot of good links on the left side. Bipolar is like one of those old balance scales. If it swings over to the manic side, the person is in a manic episode/period. If it swings the other way, they are in a depressive phase. This page has a good description of things that might trigger a manic episode.

What follows is a description of a "conversation" I had with one young woman soon after she came in to the hopital in the middle of a manic episode. The exact words are not what matters, it's the pressure to keep talking, the rapid-fire ideas that are connected and her inability to see that she was doing anything out of the ordinary.
I have "conversation" in quotes, because, even though she asked questions - she didn't wait for an answer. In fact, she hardly stopped to take a breath. Keep in mind that this was during the late 1970s, when Donny and Marie Osmond were really big. And read fast without stopping.

"Do you like Donny and Marie?I really like Donny and Marie because I think they are really good singers although I don't like some of the songs they sing.I really do like the country songs though.Those are my favorite.DO you like their country songs or their songs that are more rock?I DO like the rock songs when Donny sings them but I like the country songs better when Marie sings them.Some people think I look a lot like Marie because I have dark hair but my eyes are not the same as hers.Do you think I look like Marie or don't you think I look like her?I think she looks really pretty in a lot of the clothes she wears but I think she doesn't always look good in purple.I heard Donny likes purple and did you know he wears purple socks?Marie makes jokes about his purple socks and if I had a brother I would make jokes about him if he wore purple socks too.Donny and Marie have lots of brothers but Marie is the only girl in her family.I'm the only girl in my family too because I don't have any sisters.Sometimes I think I would like a sister but Marie doesn't have any sisters only brothers.Do you think we would get along if we met because we both are only girls?I'd really like to meet them.I can't stop thinking about them and all the time when I try to sleep,I have their songs going thru my head and then I think of their show and I think of how they look.I'd like to stop thinking about them but I can't because I think about how great they are and I think how great it would be to meet them and I really think Marie would like me. I'm going to go to California to meet them, but do you think they are there.I heard they live Salt Lake City but I'm not sure about that and I heard they are making a studio in Salt Lake City."

I got tired just listening to her. I think when she came in, she had only slept about 2 hours per night. Her brain was just racing and she could not stop thinking and go to sleep. It was typical that the thought were connected - like you could see one thought leading to another. It was like a word from the first thought led to another related thought. As difficult as it was for her to be inside that racing brain, she could talk about it. For a child without a lot of verbal ability, it would be even harder. So it's understandable that a non-verbal person in a manic episode might have agressive or intense behavior.

Good luck in dealing with your situation.
 
Oh you guys, I can identify a little with what both you have said. We worry about his diet because it is so poor. The problem is that if he thinks we have at all tampered with his food like trying to crush a vitamin in his juice he won't drink it. If he even suspects we have tried anything! We see the psychologist tomorrow so it''ll be interesting to see what several specialists say over the next few weeks. Thanks again, I so needed to share with you guys.
 

:hug: :hug: :hug:

We have used a method of deep tissue massage/joint compression and "brushing" that our OT suggested...worked amazingly well...I think the "name" of the originator of the brushing technique was "Wahlberg Protocol"...???

Share anytime...and take care
:sunny:
 
Hi guys I just wanted to update you. Went to the psychologist this am and she has some really interesting things to say. My son's PDD diagnosis is still applicable but he is making such great strides that could be different in the future. But what she felt was that he had maybe a mood disorder or some kind of bi-polar which would make such perfect sense. It's funny, it is not the diagnosis that bothers me it's the not knowing. Thanks again for your support.
 
Originally posted by s&k'smom
... It's funny, it is not the diagnosis that bothers me it's the not knowing. Thanks again for your support.

We felt the same way...just knowing that there is a "reason" can help...then you feel like you can have a "plan" to handle issues...keep us posted!!:)

:sunny:
 
We did brushing and joint compressions. It worked WONDERS. Everyone commented on him being a different child. He was only 2 at the time. Then about 2 months into it, he saw the brush and freaked out. Never again. Well, never again on the strict timeline. he did tolerate it at school and therapy. Joint compressions are still done daily and he's learning now (4yrs) to do it himself by bouncing on the ball on pushing against me.

Have you tried a trampoline? I hear that they are awesome.
 
Originally posted by saymama
We did brushing and joint compressions. It worked WONDERS. Everyone commented on him being a different child. He was only 2 at the time. Then about 2 months into it, he saw the brush and freaked out. Never again. Well, never again on the strict timeline. he did tolerate it at school and therapy. Joint compressions are still done daily and he's learning now (4yrs) to do it himself by bouncing on the ball on pushing against me.

Have you tried a trampoline? I hear that they are awesome.

Do we have parallel lives...???:):)

The trampoline DOES work wonders...!!! We bought the jogging one - because the ones through the Kool and Gault were $700...so $60 later from ToysRus, and a hand rail on the wall for balance (we just bought a bathtub one) and we got ourselves a mini OT room:), the trampoline being just big enough for one boy to relieve some stress...We also bought two workout balls from WalMart for $7...one has "bumpies" on it...the other is smooth AND do they bounce!...all this stuff is in the family room, and accessible to the boys whenever they want it...we make sure they each do a rotation on the trampoline before they go to school...

CHANGED our lives...no more brushing, except when we go away, and there's no room to drag the trampoline and balls...Like WDW!!!:):)

HTH!!
:sunny:
 
Thank you for the Toy's R Us tip. There is one 10 minutes from my house. It's sounds fantastic. And oh yeah we so live parallel lives.
 












Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top