adhd/odd/bipolar

my friend has a twelve yr. old daughter that the doctors are telling her that she has ADHD/ODD/Bipolar. they have her on Abilify but it only works for a little bit then they have to change her medications. yes the child was tramatized as a young child. she walked in and found her father dead. but we don't think that has little if anything to do with it. is there any medication out there that will combat all three problems with little or no side effects or other problems? please help the mother is at wits end.

[LRM1021]

The problem with any medication is that there are potential side effects. How strong they are, and what they are, is really dependent on the person taking them. Some have more effect on one person than they do on another.

The child you describe has several issues, and getting the right mix of medication could be challenging. A psychiatrist with a lot of experience in treating children with these conditions, or a psychopharmacologist with child treatment experience, is probably worth finding. The child needs a serious specialist, at least for stabilization.