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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
DEPAKOTE AND BIPOLAR
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
DEPAKOTE AND BIPOLAR
by MARC MESKIN, Mar 17, 2000 12:00AM
My 4 year old son has recently been put on depakote after
displaying many of the symptoms of bipolar disorder. For example,
he has been having tantrums for 2 years, clinginess to Mother,
irritablily and moodiness etc. He's only been on depakote for one week (his bloodwork hasn't even been done yet) and he is more
irritable than ever. This morning he shatter a glass entertain-
ment center door because my wife didn't respond quickly enough
to one of his constant demands. We called the Psychologist who
had prescribed the depakote and he said to stop the medicine.
Isn't this a bit premature? What else can we give him to calm
him down? He's been on dexadrine, resperdal, inderol & tegretol.
Nothing seemed to work so far. I am worried, after reading the
new book on bipolar children that his agression will escalate.
He is a triplet and I am worried that he will hurt one of his
siblings or himself. How can we get this under control? We are
at our wits end and it is destroying our family because it is
non stop turmoil day and night. He acts this way only when my wife is with him. The symptoms are not as pronounced when I watch him. Please help! Thank you.
Marc
displaying many of the symptoms of bipolar disorder. For example,
he has been having tantrums for 2 years, clinginess to Mother,
irritablily and moodiness etc. He's only been on depakote for one week (his bloodwork hasn't even been done yet) and he is more
irritable than ever. This morning he shatter a glass entertain-
ment center door because my wife didn't respond quickly enough
to one of his constant demands. We called the Psychologist who
had prescribed the depakote and he said to stop the medicine.
Isn't this a bit premature? What else can we give him to calm
him down? He's been on dexadrine, resperdal, inderol & tegretol.
Nothing seemed to work so far. I am worried, after reading the
new book on bipolar children that his agression will escalate.
He is a triplet and I am worried that he will hurt one of his
siblings or himself. How can we get this under control? We are
at our wits end and it is destroying our family because it is
non stop turmoil day and night. He acts this way only when my wife is with him. The symptoms are not as pronounced when I watch him. Please help! Thank you.
Marc
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS-M.D-HG, Mar 19, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Marc Meskin
I am not clear on whether your son is suffering from Bipolar disorder or some other condition such as ADHD. Dexedrine is usually used in the treatment of children with ADHD. Medications such as Lithium, Depakote, Tegretol and Neurontin are used in the treatment of Bipolar disorder. I would think that Lithium can be helpful in controlling his mood swings. All these medications take a while before any positive effects can be noticed. If he becomes a threat to him self or others, he needs to be hospitalized. Seeing a counsellor on a regular basis in addition to the medication can be helpful
Sincerely
HFHS-M.D.
I am not clear on whether your son is suffering from Bipolar disorder or some other condition such as ADHD. Dexedrine is usually used in the treatment of children with ADHD. Medications such as Lithium, Depakote, Tegretol and Neurontin are used in the treatment of Bipolar disorder. I would think that Lithium can be helpful in controlling his mood swings. All these medications take a while before any positive effects can be noticed. If he becomes a threat to him self or others, he needs to be hospitalized. Seeing a counsellor on a regular basis in addition to the medication can be helpful
Sincerely
HFHS-M.D.
Member Comments (1)
by Melissa Trinnaman, Mar 25, 2000 12:00AM
Marc Don't wait to see what happens, take him to a psychatrist, they will help your son and you to find out weither or not he has ADHD or Bipolar.
by Diane, Apr 15, 2000 12:00AM
you may check the possiblity of an anxiety disorder, we have been to doctors with our daughter since the age of 3 she is now 9 & she is till not medicated right we we won't stop trying - hang in there you are not alone! read my comment under busbar... something, something. comment from Diane Deserio ( it was my first time on)
